AMERICANS ARE worried about their finances and the cost of medical treatment but, for the first time in five years, more of them say their country is on the right track, according to a new poll. The Associated Press poll confirms that, as he approaches his 100th day in office next week, President Barack Obama has lifted the mood of his fellow citizens, most of whom are happy with the way he is leading the country.
Some 48 per cent say the country is heading in the right direction, up from 40 per cent last month and up from just 17 per cent before last November’s election. Some 44 per cent believe the country is on the wrong track.
Almost two out of three Americans approve of how Mr Obama is doing his job, although only one in four Republicans are happy with his performance.
Two out of three said it was difficult to make ends meet and that they were worried about the cost of medical treatment.
The poll suggests, however, that Americans are prepared to give their new president time to sort out the country’s problems, with almost three in four saying it is unrealistic to expect results on the economy within his first year.
There is little comfort for Republicans in the new survey, with only 29 per cent approving of their performance in Congress, compared to 50 per cent who say congressional Democrats are doing a good job.
Republicans continued to criticise Mr Obama yesterday for leaving open the possibility of prosecuting former Bush administration officials who authorised the CIA to torture detainees.
“If you criminalise legal advice, which is basically what they’re going to do, then it has a terribly chilling effect on any kind of advice and counsel that the president might receive,” said Arizona senator John McCain.
“To go back on a witch-hunt that could last for a year or so, frankly, is going to be bad for the country, bad for future presidents – precedents . . . may be set by this – and certainly non-productive in trying to pursue the challenges we face.”
Democrats are divided over the best approach to investigating the previous administration’s authorisation of torture, with some favouring the granting of immunity to former officials and others insisting that they should be held to account for their actions.