More optimism on the economy boosts Obama approval rating in NBC News Poll

[WI_DEM]

Americans are growing more optimistic about the state of the economy and direction of the country, according to a new NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll out Wednesday evening, and President Obama is receiving better grades on his handling of the economy and job as a result.

More people said they believe the economy will get better (37 percent) in the next year rather than worse (17 percent). That’s the highest level in more than a year and a seven-point jump over last month. It also represents a reversal from October, when 32 percent of Americans said they expected the economy to get worse, versus 21 percent who expected improvement.

"The calendar says it’s the dead of winter, but for President Obama, these results must feel like the start of spring," said Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff.

And for the first time in six months, more people approve of the job the president is doing (48 percent) than disapprove (46 percent).

“The psychology about the economic conditions has switched,” Hart said. “The old saying is a rising tide lifts all boats then clearly, this economic optimism has clearly lifted Obama's ratings."

But Congress sees no boost from any emerging sense of optimism. Instead, its 13 percent approval rating remains near historic lows, while 80 percent disapprove of the way lawmakers are doing their job. That’s the same as it was the last time the question was asked in August.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/25/10237484-nbcwsj-poll-obama-benefits-from-growing-economic-optimism

[onehandle]

1. But the state of our union is 'grave.'

Clearly these folks need to talk to Mitch Daniels.