According To A New WSJ/NBC Poll, “The Republican Party Is Gaining A Public-Opinion Edge On Several Key Issues Ahead Of The 2014 Elections, As Americans Question President Barack Obama’s Leadership On Syria And Worry About The Country’s Overall Direction.” “The Republican Party is gaining a public-opinion edge on several key issues ahead of the 2014 elections, as Americans question President Barack Obama’s leadership on Syria and worry about the country’s overall direction, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows. Republicans are now rated higher than Democrats on handling the economy and foreign policy, and the GOP’s lead has strengthened on several other issues, including dealing with the federal deficit and ensuring a strong national defense.” (Neil King Jr., “Poll Finds Republicans Gain Favor On Key Issues,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/13/13)

• “Americans Are Feeling Increasingly Pessimistic About The Direction Of The Economy, And A Growing Number Disapprove Of The Way That President Obama Is Handling It.” “Americans are feeling increasingly pessimistic about the direction of the economy, and a growing number disapprove of the way that President Obama is handling it, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey.” (Suzy Khimm, “Hope? Nope. Poll Shows Gloom On Economy And Obama,” MSNBC, 9/13/13)

“Just 27% Of Americans Think The Economy Will Improve Over The Next Year, The Lowest Since July 2012, While Nearly Two-Thirds Think The Country Is On The Wrong Track.” “Just 27% of Americans think the economy will improve over the next year, the lowest since July 2012, while nearly two-thirds think the country is on the wrong track. The public tilt on several issues in favor of the GOP, particularly among independents, comes as Mr. Obama’s own job-approval rating has hovered around 45% for three months, a tenuous place for a president trying to build support for likely battles with Congress over possible military action in Syria, a proposed overhaul of immigration law and the budget.” (Neil King Jr., “Poll Finds Republicans Gain Favor On Key Issues,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/13/13)

• “Americans Are Also Becoming More Disenchanted With The President Over The Issue: 52% Disapprove Of The Way That Obama Is Handling The Economy.” “Americans are also becoming more disenchanted with the president over the issue: 52% disapprove of the way that Obama is handling the economy— the highest level since August 2012—while 45% approve of his job handling it.” (Suzy Khimm, “Hope? Nope. Poll Shows Gloom On Economy And Obama,” MSNBC, 9/13/13)

“Only 29% Those Who Identified As Poor And Working-Class Say It’s Likely They’ll Be Middle-Class In The Next Five To Seven Years.” “Low-income Americans, moreover, aren’t feeling encouraged about their prospects of reaching the middle class. Only 29% those who identified as poor and working-class say it’s likely they’ll be middle-class in the next five to seven years. Meanwhile, 43% of those who currently identify as middle-class say it will be very, fairly, or somewhat likely that they will fall out of the middle-class over the next several years.” (Suzy Khimm, “Hope? Nope. Poll Shows Gloom On Economy And Obama,” MSNBC, 9/13/13)

“Americans Are More Likely To Believe The GOP Is Better At Dealing With The Economy Than Democrats By A 33% To 29% Margin, Reversing Their Views From February 2013.” “At the same time, Republicans are gaining ground on some major issues. Americans are more likely to believe the GOP is better at dealing with the economy than Democrats by a 33% to 29% margin, reversing their views from February 2013.” (Suzy Khimm, “Hope? Nope. Poll Shows Gloom On Economy And Obama,” MSNBC, 9/13/13)

• “They’re Also Feeling More Positively About Republicans’ Approach Towards Reducing The Deficit, Ensuring A Strong National Defense, And Dealing With Health Care.” (Suzy Khimm, “Hope? Nope. Poll Shows Gloom On Economy And Obama,” MSNBC, 9/13/13)