POLL ISSUES

POLL ISSUES

Americans are feeling optimistic about the direction their country is headed for the first time since early 2004, according to an Associated Press-Gfk poll.

k65 percent still say it’s difficult for them and their family to get ahead financially these days.

k85 percent say unemployment is an important issue, with over a third of all respondents reporting that someone in their family has lost a job due to economic conditions in the last six months.

kBut 51 percent are now confident again that they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement, up from 44 percent in February.

k41 percent say this is a good time to buy stocks, up from 33 percent in December.

k64 percent say this is a good time to buy real estate, up from 56 percent in December.

k79 percent say health care is an important issue.

k75 percent say terrorism is an important concern.

k71 percent say the federal budget deficit is a top issue.

k68 percent of respondents cite relationships with other countries, taxes, and energy as important.

kThe war in Iraq has declined in prominence in people’s minds. Only 66 percent call it important, down from 80 percent in the middle of the campaign last year.

Source: AP poll