New Optimism About Economy Could Help Bush

According to the Gallup Poll, the percentage of Americans who rate current economic conditions as "excellent or good" rose from 42% on December 11-14, 2006 to 52% on January 15-18, 2007. Since early October, the ratings of excellent or good have hovered in the low 40s according to Gallup but never went higehr than 44%. The sudden jump to 52% may create a rebound of sorts for George W. Bush. With the drag of Iraq around his neck, any such rebound will be slow and with the Democrats in control of Congress, it will be too late, but Bush may get residual strength from this sudden surge in economic optimism

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