One year before Election Day 2008, most Americans are dismayed by the country's direction, pessimistic about the Iraq war and anxious about the economy. Two of three disapprove of the job President Bush is doing. Nearly a year after Democrats took control of Congress, three of four Americans say it isn't achieving much, either.
In all, 72% of those surveyed in a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Oct. 12-14 say they are dissatisfied with how things are going in the USA while just 26% are satisfied. Not since April have even one-third of Americans been happy with the country's course, the longest national funk in 15 years.
My question isn't meant to be flippant. I don't really think the right answer is easy to tease out of the answers to various poll questions. People aren't happy, and I'm really not sure I have a handle on why. I can't certainly come up with various little reasons, but there seems to be an overriding national narrative which people don't like. I want to know what it is.