Partisanship shapes views on state of the nation

As President Obama and congressional Republicans reengage over economic issues, Americans offer a gloomy assessment of the state of the nation. But those perceptions appear to be heavily influenced by political identification and partisan leanings, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Fifty-seven percent of Americans describe the state […] Read more »

The State of the Union, 2015: Not Great, but Getting Better

The state of the nation? Not great – but it’s sure been worse. That summarizes public attitudes as Barack Obama prepares to deliver his penultimate State of the Union address. There are grace notes, largely based on improving views of the economy. But deep concerns about long-term and structural economic […] Read more »

An Improving Economy Gives Obama His Game Back

An improving economy is putting Barack Obama back in the game, boosting the president and his party in a striking turnaround from their devastating midterm losses. Americans approve of the president’s job performance by 50-44 percent in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, a remarkable 9-point gain in approval and […] Read more »

Rising economy boosts Obama’s standing on eve of the State of the Union

President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday enjoying rising approval ratings that have been strengthened by rapidly improving perceptions of the economy and increased optimism about the overall direction of the country, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. … Obama enjoys other advantages as […] Read more »