8 in 10 Americans: Economy is in poor shape

Image by DonkeyHotey via FlickrMore than 80% of Americans surveyed say the economy is in poor shape, with unemployment still the public's top concern, according to the latest CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey.

Not everyone is down in the dumps. Seventeen percent of Americans say the economy is somewhat good. Only 1% say the economy is very good.

And that's pretty much the same way Americans have answered since Sept. 2008, on the eve of President Obama's election.

The reason for the dour outlook? Thirty-eight percent of respondents cited unemployment as the most important economic issue facing the country. The federal budget deficit was the second most popular answer, with 28%.

Rising gas prices (21%), mortgage and housing costs (6%) and taxes (4%) round out the top five concerns. More...