Other polls that ask Americans how they feel about a proposed "cap and trade" system to control pollution have tended to produce positive responses. But those surveys never seem to mention what such a system might cost. The latest IBD/TIPP Poll laid it all out in a somewhat lengthy question and drew a very different response: By nearly 3-to-1, Americans oppose a cap-and-trade system that, if

Contrary to common wisdom that the Republican Party is losing members in droves, IBD/TIPP data show the GOP with steady support over the last three years and Democrats benefiting more from an exodus of independents. The biggest inroads have been made with Hispanics and single women. Republicans have been up and down with Midwesterners and middle-class households. The investor class did not go

GDP: The economy contracted a "worse than expected" 6.1% in the first quarter of 2009, showing we are still in a deep recession. But things are better than they look - and likely will get more so as the year goes on.

You can be forgiven for thinking us crazy for saying that. After all, the media are filled with news of impending doom, and pundits tell us it could go

Socialism in the U.S. appears to be in a formative stage. For most Americans, the idea is fairly new, and many have yet to take a firm stand on policies such as income redistribution and government control of industries.

Yet, we've come a long way in just seven months. Last August, only 25% of Americans surveyed in our IBD/TIPP Poll agreed with the statement, "The U.S. is evolving

U.S. consumer confidence rose slightly in March but remained weak overall due to worries about job losses, a moribund housing sector and ailing banks, a survey released Tuesday said.

Investor's Business Daily and TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence said their IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index rose to 45.3 in March from 44.6 in February.

President Obama continues to enjoy strong approval ratings but his reputation has taken a few dents after just seven weeks in office, an IBD/TIPP poll found.

'The dog may bark,' they say in my native India, 'but the elephant moves on.'

I am reminded of the saying as I read and listen to the major media in the U.S. They bark incessantly about the recession and the possibility of something worse while the public - like a great pachyderm - goes about its business in the realization that the media are part of the problem.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence fell in February, according to a survey released on Tuesday that showed the year-old recession sapping sentiment but some optimism over government efforts to bail out the economy.

The IBD/TIPP index of U.S. economic optimism fell to a reading of 44.6 in February from 45.4 in January, Investor's Business Daily said in a release.

The Direction Of The Country Index that we derive from our monthly polling improved 5% in February, its fourth straight gain after hitting a record low during the financial crisis in October. But at 35.7, it's still a long way from the 50 level that indicates optimism. Of the 21 demographic groups we track, only one - 18- to 24-year-olds - is optimistic about the country's direction, though

Economy: Given the forces brought to bear in Washington, the chance of some kind of big-spending "stimulus" package getting passed looks pretty good. The only question is, what kind of stimulus?

The answer to that question matters. It will go a long way toward deciding whether the bill will be acceptable to voters - and whether it will work economically.