For the first time in nearly five years, a new Associated Press/GfK poll finds more Americans than not say the country is headed in the right direction, 48% to 44%.
Though most Americans are still "intensely worried about their personal finances and medical expenses," they nonetheless appear realistic about the time President Obama might need to turn things around. They also view their new president as "a strong, ethical and empathetic leader who is working to change Washington."
Obama's approval rate is 64%, according to the survey.