---
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://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.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://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/679/the-publics-not-so-happy-new-year)