A new poll from Bloomberg finds Americans have a better view of the economic recovery than a year ago. “More Americans now say they are personally better off since President Barack Obama took office than worse off, the first favorable reading for the president on that question since Bloomberg began asking in December 2010,” the news organization wrote. “Thirty-eight percent say they are better off while 36 percent say they’re worse off. In September, the last time that question was asked, only 27 percent said they were better off and 44 percent said worse off.”
President Obama’ poll numbers have veered back into negative territory as of late, and pollsters have cited rising gas prices as the main culrpit. But the Bloomberg numbers find the opposite — showing that many Americans accept the argument that government has little to do with the price of oil. From Bloomberg Businessweek:
While Republicans attack Obama over rising gasoline prices, Americans don’t primarily blame the White House. Sixty-six percent place more responsibility on oil companies and Middle East nations taking advantage of tensions with Iran. Only 23 percent say the White House is more at fault. Even Republicans put more blame on oil companies and Mideast governments, 49 percent compared to 45 percent who point at the administration.
The poll also showed a possible preview as to how Americans will digiest the partisan political messainge come the middle of election season — a majority of 51 percent said that government investment was a good way to promote growth (a policy that President Obama and Democrats favor) versus the Republicans’ insistance that cutting taxes is the way to go, as 41 percent of Americans agreed.
