At Issue: U.S. Economy
An economy with too few consumers tends toward a recession. And a nation that cuts government spending by too much, too soon, during a period of weak demand, tends toward too few consumers. REUTERS

The American people aren't equivocating regarding their view of public officials' performance regarding the economy -- 72 percent say the country's economy is on the wrong course, according to the latest Bloomberg National Poll.

What's more, only 20 percent believe the country is on the right course economically, and just 9 percent are confident the country won't tip back into a recession after the worst and longest recession (2007-2009) since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

GOP Message Resonating

Further, the Congressional Republican message appears to be taking hold with the American public. In the poll, 57 percent said the best way to create jobs is to cut taxes and cut government spending, however the poll still rejects many specific Republican party idea/proposals.

The latest poll did contain some good news for Democrats. A majority, 51 percent, said the special Congressional super committee charged with finding an additional $1.5 trillion in debt reduction should raise taxes on upper-income groups before curbing entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security, and they reject Republicans' here-to-fore, ironclad opposition to tax increases.

Majority Favor 2010 U.S. Health Care Reform Act

Also, only 34 percent of the country now favors repeal of President Barack Obama's U.S. health care reform, down from 41 percent six months ago.

In addition, Republicans expecting strong applause from voters in November 2012 may be in for a rude awakening: 53 percent of Americans hold a negative view of the Republican Party, up from 47 percent in June.

The Bloomberg Poll surveyed 997 U.S. adults ages 18 and up, Sept 9-12, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Political/Public Policy Analysis: The poll is bad news for President Obama and Congressional Democrats.

The reason? Even though voters aren't impressed by Republican Party policy alternatives, the Democrats are in the White House. Further, because political science research indicates that American voters view the president as manager of the U.S. economy, if the economy is doing well, that issue will work in his electoral favor; if it isn't, it works against him and his party.

And as the poll indicates, the American people, by an overwhelming majority, believe the economy isn't doing well. Hence, if the economy doesn't improve, November 2012 will be tough month for Obama and the Democrats.

By extension, the task for Obama and the Dems is obvious enough (but not easy): get this economy moving again, with strong job growth.

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