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AP Poll: People optimistic on Obama by 3-1 margin

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-22 18:51

WASHINGTON – A new poll shows that by a 3-1 margin, the American people feel more optimistic about the country's future now that Barack Obama has been inaugurated president.

US soldiers watch the live televised inauguration ceremony for US President Barack Obama January 20 in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. Obama asked top military commanders to draw up plans needed for a "responsible" withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. [Agencies]

Full Coverage:  Obama Inauguration Related readings:  Obama draws 37.8 million U.S. TV viewers  Obama economic recovery plan advancing in House  Obama sprints through first full day in office  Celebration over, Obama gets to work

The Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll found that 53 percent of those surveyed said they felt more optimistic, while just 15 percent said his ascendancy to the White House made them feel more pessimistic.

The poll also showed that even among Republicans, just 29 percent of those surveyed felt more pessimistic with Obama at the White House -- roughly the same number as the 30 percent of GOP people who said they felt more optimistic.

A smaller proportion of those who said they saw or heard his inaugural address -- 51 percent -- called it good.

The poll was conducted Tuesday and involved online interviews with 835 adults. It has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.