In Poll, More Blame GOP, Bush for Bailout Failure

A poll shows that 44% of Americans blame Republicans and 21% Democrats for the failed bailout, though a majority thought the plan didn't go far enough to protect the public, reports the Washington Post. Respondents were split on the bill: 45% were for it, 47% against it. Still, almost 90% of 520 adults polled were concerned that the bill's failure will further hurt the economy.

Concern crossed party lines, but 60% of Democrats called this a crisis, compared with just 44% of Republicans. As for what got us into this mess, more voters blamed President Bush than anything else. While pessimism about personal finances has doubled since 2006, there is some good news: 40% said they are optimistic about the economy's next year.
(More poll stories.)