Americans' Mood Sours Over Economy

Bush, Congress maintain dismal approval ratings

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2008 4:23 PM CST

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Americans' Mood Sours Over Economy — Lighted NYSE signs sit atop trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday Jan. 15, 2008. Stocks skidded Tuesday after weak economic news and a disappointing quarterly report from Citigroup Inc. signaled that Wall Street's worries about the economy are likely to continue unassuaged.... (Associated Press)

America’s spirits are sinking along with the economy, a new poll says. The Reuters/Zogby mood index fell from 97.3 to 94.2 this month, the lowest mark since polling began in July. The poll found that 48% of Americans expect a recession, up from 43% last month, and two-thirds think the US is headed in the wrong direction.

Approval ratings for President Bush remained at a low 31%, and Congress rated a dreary 14%, although that was up from last month’s 13%. "Voters are in a funk," said pollster John Zogby. "People hear about the impending recession every day, they see the sinking stock market, and their credit card bills for Christmas—you don't need much more to get you worried." (More John Zogby stories.)

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