Americans’ optimism about the economy’s direction reached its highest since before the pandemic began in the latest Consumer Comfort Index survey, with indications of possible gains ahead as stimulus checks land and COVID-19 restrictions lift. Thirty-one percent of Americans say the economy is improving, maintaining an 11-point jump from December […] Read more »
Americans Welcome Federal Support
… Small government nation? Our national mythos imagines America as a country of spirited individuals who shudder at the thought of the nanny state. But our rugged individualism has met its match in the virus. As Hobbes understood, we look to the state for our stability and security in the […] Read more »
As Biden signs relief bill, voters give him highest marks on economy, COVID
Tomorrow will mark 50 days in office for President Biden, halfway to the 100-day symbolic milestone that became a yardstick in the first year of Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency and even more so with John Kennedy’s too-brief tenure in the White House. On March 1, this column took a look at […] Read more »
Consumer Comfort Index continues its gradual ascent
The Consumer Comfort Index continued its gradual ascent this week, rising to a three-month high and coming within striking distance of its pandemic peak after an extended surge in Americans’ ratings of the national economy. CONTINUED — pdf Langer Research Associates Read more »
Biden Viewed Positively on Many Issues, but Public Is Less Confident He Can Unify Country
A little less than two months into his presidency, Joe Biden has a positive job approval rating and draws confidence from majorities of the public on his ability to handle a range of issues, especially the coronavirus outbreak. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) say they are very or somewhat confident […] Read more »
As COVID Cases Drop, Strict Social Distancing Mostly Steady
At a time when U.S. coronavirus infections have decreased sharply from their peak and the public perceives the COVID-19 situation as improving, there has been relatively little change in Americans’ practice of strict social distancing. Currently, 47% of U.S. adults say they are “completely” or “mostly” isolating themselves from people […] Read more »