Marist poll: Obama not blamed for economy

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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Voters do not blame U.S. President Barack Obama for the dismal shape of the economy, a McClatchy-Marist poll indicated Friday.

When asked if Obama is responsible for economic conditions, 59 percent of the poll respondents said no and 33 percent said yes.

The poll also found two-thirds of those asked said the economy will get worse. Among Republicans that percentage shot up to 75 percent, with 57 percent of Democrats taking the negative outlook. Voters living in the South were the most pessimistic, with 72 percent saying they expect the economy to worsen.

Only 27 percent said they think the worst has passed.

As for the future, 25 percent said they expected their personal family finances will improve and 26 percent said they would get worse.

The poll was conducted Aug. 2-4 and queried 1,000 adults by phone. The margin of error was 3 percentage points -- 3.5 percentage points for registered voters.