---
"title": "Tempered Optimism about 2008"
"description": "Half of Americans say that as far as they are concerned, 2008 will be a better year than 2007, while 34% say it will be worse."
"date": "2008-01-07"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2008/01/07/tempered-optimism-about-2008/"
---

# Tempered Optimism about 2008

The American public begins the new year with a highly negative view of national conditions and tempered expectations for 2008; half of Americans say that as far as they are concerned, 2008 will be a better year than 2007, while 34% say it will be worse. In December 2006, and in several end-of-year surveys during the 1990s, there was greater optimism about the coming year with the prevalence of positive expectations peaking at 66%in 1999. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/679/the-publics-not-so-happy-new-year)