NBC/WSJ poll: U.S. pessimism on increase
Doubts about children’s future and concerns about wars weigh heavily

By Mark Murray
Political reporter
NBC News


WASHINGTON - With the congressional midterm elections less than four months away, the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds that candidates will be facing a public that has grown increasingly pessimistic, as nearly two-thirds don't believe life for their children's generation will be better than it has been for them, and nearly 60 percent are doubtful the Iraq war will come to a successful conclusion.

In addition, only 27 percent think the country is headed in the right direction, while just 34 percent approve of the president's handling of Iraq. Fifty-eight percent say they are less confident the Iraq war will come to a successful conclusion.

And there's more pessimism: Among those who believe that the nation is headed on the wrong track, a whopping 81 percent say it's part of a longer-term decline and that things won't get better for a while. Just 12 percent think the problems are short-term blips.

And 65 percent say they feel less confident that life for their children's generation will be better than it was for them. In December 2001, the last time this question was asked, respondents — by a 49-42 percent margin — said they were confident life would be better for their children.
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