The year 2023 begins with slightly better, though not better, assessments of the nation than last year, which was plagued by pessimism about many issues.
More people say things are going well in the country than they said at the start of 2022.
Ratings about the economy today are not good, but they are higher than before the fall midterm campaign. The labor market stands out as a bright spot, even as concerns about inflation persist. Fewer voters think the economy is headed for worse than they thought in October.
Americans are feeling very positive and optimistic about the fight against COVID – despite the concern of some scientists about the onset of winter – this is a radical change from the beginning of 2022.
This year has many concerns for Americans as they look ahead. They are still largely pessimistic about the direction of prices and the stock market; about world peace; and about climate and the occurrence of extreme weather events. (And very pessimistic about US politics.)
It all adds up to this: Americans say they hope as much as they fear.
The economy has taken center stage in the midterms, and its ratings are higher now than before the start of the campaign in earnest. In particular, among the voters, their opinion about the economy has also increased compared to October, in the heat of the pre-election campaign.
Things that stand out for optimism: the labor market and the fight against COVID.
Compared to last summer, the economy’s rating among middle-class and working-class Americans earning less than $50,000 is up slightly, though overall negative. It also has political overtones, as Democrats are giving the economy better ratings than last year.
Today’s low opinion of the national economy is related to the fact that many still say that they are worse off today than they were a year ago, and few people feel better.
In short, it’s all about a mix of emotions – hope and fear.
As for President Biden, his overall approval rating is at 44%, where it was last year.
This CBS News/YouGov poll was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,144 US adults interviewed between January 4 and 6, 2,023. The sample was weighted by gender, age, race, and education based on the U.S. Census American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey, as well as the 2020 presidential vote. The margin of error is ± 2.9 points.
Toplines
Anthony Salvanto
