Poll: Economy Worries On The Rise
NEW YORK, July 17, 2002
>>Nearly half now say the country is on the wrong track - the largest percentage since last June. Only 38% say they can trust the government to do what's right most of the time, also down near pre-9/11 levels.<<
(CBS/AP)
Nearly six in ten say the U.S. economy is in worse shape than it was two years ago, and nearly a third say their own family's financial situation is worse than in 2000.
(CBS) Trust in government is eroding amid increasing concerns about the economy, the declining stock market and American business ethics. And that could spell trouble for the White House and the GOP as the fall elections near, a CBS News/New York Times poll finds.
While President George W. Bush's overall approval rating remains high at 70%, concerns that he - and especially his Administration - worries more about big business than the public at large have emerged. Some of those concerns may affect the fall election, with Democrats now holding even larger advantages over Republicans on many key domestic issues than they did before September 11.
Some poll highlights:
Nearly half now say the country is on the wrong track - the largest percentage since last June. Only 38% say they can trust the government to do what's right most of the time, also down near pre-9/11 levels.
In just the last week, the percentage saying the Stock Market is in good shape has dropped 14 points, down to 33%. Fewer than half say the U.S. economy is in good shape, something that hasn't happened since 1994. 41% say it's getting worse.
Nearly six in ten say the U.S. economy is in worse shape than it was two years ago, and nearly a third say their own family's financial situation is worse than in 2000.
Nearly all Americans say the corporate accounting scandals are a serious problem for the economy, with 62% saying they are a very serious problem.
Americans are divided on whether Bush personally cares more about protecting the interests of large corporations or the interests of ordinary Americans - but six in ten say his Administration AND his party care more about large corporations than about ordinary Americans.
THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE CORPORATE SCANDALS
President Bush continues to get high marks from the public as a person and a President - his approval rating is 70%, and 64% give him an overall favorable rating. But many have questions about his relationship with big business. The personal confidence Americans have in their President, however does NOT extend to members of his Administration, who are overwhelmingly seem too influenced by big business and not necessarily honest in their previous business dealings.
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