Mood improves as Americans adjust to economy: poll

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans are feeling slightly more optimistic this month as they come to grips with a struggling economy and an uncertain future, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

The Reuters/Zogby Index, which measures the mood of the country, rose sharply to 95.5, up from 87.7 in March, as all 10 measures of public opinion used in the Index climbed.

Concerns about personal finances, job security and the direction of the country eased at least slightly, and positive ratings climbed for President George W. Bush, the U.S. Congress and economic and foreign policy.

Pollster John Zogby said the improved marks were mostly a sign of tempered expectations as the public settles in for a rocky ride on the economy.

"People are still in a bad mood. Political institutions still get very bad marks, and people feel we are clearly in a recession," Zogby said. "They are just digging in for now. They have made a mental adjustment."

The approval ratings for Bush inched up from 26 percent to 27 percent, and positive marks for Congress rose to a still-low 16 percent from 13 percent.

The number of Americans who believe the country is headed in the right direction climbed to 23 percent from 19 percent, and the number who feel very secure about their jobs rose to 48 percent from 40 percent.

"I wouldn't say this is a significant upward trend, it's more a settling in," Zogby said. "The responses are still negative, they just aren't as bad as last month."