Democrats see Obama Moving in "Right Direction," But Less "Satisfied"

An interesting comparison by the Pew Research Center of the recent divergence between two measures used to track the national mood: a question asking if Americans think the country is heading in the "right direction" or "wrong track," and a question asking if individuals are satisfied or not with "the way things are going in the United States."

I'm not surprised that views about a "right direction" have taken precedence over satisfaction in the recent polls; Americans are facing tough economic times, but Obama's speeches have continued to invoke an atmosphere of hope that sustains a more forward-looking mood.