Attitude Check

As Americans await Obama's State of the Union address, are they feeling better about the economy than in 2011?

Americans don't feel any love for either. So who do they love?

How do Americans feel about their standard of living today compared to this time in 2008?

Our Attitude Check this week looks what Americans are concerned about within the economy and also how they feel about the future of their standard of living.

The government's jobless data for December comes out Friday. Gallup has its own unemployment measures. Here's a preview.

The economy is shaping up to the top issue of this election year. How does that compare to the last election in 2008?

Heading into the election year, we speak to Frank Newport at Gallup about how Obama's economic policies are faring in the American public, and why the economy will be the biggest issue in 2012.

How do Americans feel about all the GOP candidates before next Tuesday? Also, Gallup's most admired people of 2011, and gauging support for the Democrats and the Republicans after the payroll tax cuts showdown.

We speak to Frank Newport, editor-in-chief at Gallup, about whether Americans want the payroll tax extended, and what the controversy in Washington could do to consumer confidence.

The latest data from Gallup show that people are feeling better about the economy this holiday season, but worse about the U.S. government.