Pew on Bailout: Lots of Angry People Out There

A new survey from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press indicates that public support for the economic bailout plan is waning. A modest majority of Americans -- 45 to 38 -- think the plan is the right thing to do. That margin is down sharply from 10 days ago, when 57% percent of those polled thought it was the right strategy, versus 30% who thought it was the wrong one. Concern over the bailout appears to transcend party lines, with support for the plan dropping among Democrats, Republicans, and independents. When asked to describe their emotional reaction to the government's proposed $700 billion rescue effort, 61% said they are "angry"; 50% described themselves as "scared"; 43% are "confused"; and 29% are "optimistic".

The survey also shows that voters favor Barack Obama by a large margin -- 46 to 33 -- when asked which Presidential candidate can best address the nation's economic crisis. However, among independent voters, Obama's edge is much slimmer, 38-32. Click here to read a complete overview of the Pew survey.

-- Sean Bowditch

4:22 PM ET | 09-30-2008 | permalink

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