Americans believe the U.S. economy is now in solid shape -- and say the trend will continue under President Trump.
A Harvard-Harris poll finds 61 percent say the economy as strong -- and a plurality, 42 percent, believe the economy is heading along the right track.
Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst for Bankrate, says Wall Street investors will likely continue the stock market's historic bull run – but are looking for the Trump administration to follow through on such campaign promises as tax cuts and deregulation.
Hamrick also notes that economic optimism is split along party lines. The good cheer expressed in polling runs almost twice as strong among self-identified Republicans than Democrats.
Hamrick says one of Trump's top challenges will be jobs, because a growing number of workers are part-time employees who would rather be working full-time.
Those numbers are improving, even if there’s a high ceiling for growth. The U.S. economy added 227,000 new jobs in January – more than 50,000 better than economists had predicted. The White House and others suggest that hiring is up amid optimism that Trump will foster a pro-business climate.
The Harvard-Harris poll was first reported online by The Hill.