Obama's Ratings Still High Despite Policy Concerns & Public More Optimistic About the Economy, But Still Reluctant to Spend

A solid majority of Americans (61%) continue to approve of Barack Obama''s job performance, although they express mixed views of several of his policies. An important positive sign for Obama is the public''s continued optimism that his policies will improve the economy - fully 65% express this view. A smaller majority (55%) is optimistic Obama will reduce the budget deficit over the long-term. Nonetheless, Obama''s job approval on the economy has declined from 60% in April to 52% currently.

Turning to the economy, the public is increasingly optimistic that the nations economy will improve in the next year, while a growing number also expect their personal finances to get better. But this has not caused people to open their wallets: The proportion saying they have cut back on personal spending remains as high as it was earlier this year.

Nearly half of Americans (48%) say they expect economic conditions a year from now to be better than today, up from 40% in February. Over the same period, the percentage saying they expect their personal finances to improve at least some has risen from 54% to 63%.

This survey was conducted June 10-14, 2009 by PSRAI from the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press among 1,502 adults. To view more from this survey, click here for part I and here for part II.

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