Consumer confidence increased for a third straight week as households grew more optimistic about their finances. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index rose in the week ended Sept. 22 to minus 28.1, the highest since the period ended Aug. 11, from minus 29.4. A gauge of personal finances advanced to a […] Read more »
Obama’s Approval Rating Matches Two-Year Low, Poll Shows
President Obama’s standing with Americans has slumped significantly, as the public remains skeptical about his health care law and unsure about the economy, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. … Mr. Obama is being hurt by a public that has grown sour in the face of what […] Read more »
Americans Turn on Washington, 68% Say Wrong Track in Poll
As the U.S. heads toward a potential government shutdown or default, the public is more alienated from Washington than at any time since the aftermath of the 2011 downgrade of the nation’s credit rating. President Barack Obama’s 47 percent favorability rating and the 34 percent positive reading for Republicans are […] Read more »
DC ignores jobs and economy
There are two interrelated myths of politics today that drive me crazy. The first is that Republicans spend all their time catering to Wall Street and the financiers of the economy. The other fairy tale is that politicians in both parties are guided by poll results. Neither of these legends […] Read more »
Economic Confidence Slips Amid Fiscal Showdown
As federal lawmakers debate how to avoid a government shutdown and raise the debt limit, the uncertainty seems to be taking a toll on Americans’ confidence in the economy. Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index fell five points to -20 last week, the lowest weekly score since automatic federal budget sequestration cuts […] Read more »
Improved Outlook Pushes U.S. Economic Confidence Back Up
Americans’ confidence in the U.S. economy improved slightly over the past two weeks. Gallup’s U.S. Economic Confidence Index was -15 last week, similar to the -16 from the previous week, but up from -18 in the week ending Sept. 1. However, Americans continue to be less positive about the economy […] Read more »