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15% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

Just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, August 14. 

The latest finding is down a point from a week ago, 10 points from a month ago and 20 points from a year ago. Since the third week in July, the number of voters who are confident in the nation’s current course has resembled levels measured in the final months of the Bush administration.

When President Obama assumed office in January 2009, optimism rose to 27% and climbed to the low to mid 30s – peaking at 40% -- until May 2009.  That figure has steadily declined since. 

Eighty percent (80%) of voters say the country is heading down the wrong track.  That ties the highest level measured in three-years.  Since January 2009, voter pessimism had ranged from 57% to 63%.

Most Republicans (92%) and voters not affiliated with either political party (84%) believe the country is heading down the wrong track.  Even a majority (63%) of Democrats now say the country is heading in the wrong direction. 

 (Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter  or Facebook .

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