A majority of Americans believe the country will be better off four years from now, while 41% say it will be worse. But this level of optimism is down considerably from four years ago, following President Barack Obama’s first election victory, when 65% said the country would be better off in four years, and prior to his first inauguration, when 72% said the same. …
Democrats are nearly unanimous in their positive feelings that the next four years will be better for the country, with 94% saying so versus 4% who think things will be worse. Republicans are nearly as united but in the opposite direction, with 11% saying the country will be better off and 86% seeing the country souring. Independents are more upbeat than not about the future, 51% to 40%. [cont.]
Andrew Dugan, Gallup