Money | economy Economic Hopes On the Rise: Poll Past 2 weeks have seen steady rise in optimism By Matt Cantor Posted Mar 27, 2009 6:39 AM CDT Copied Leroy and Carol Pommrehn of Des Moines, Iowa, shop at the local Target store, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) More Americans appear to have hope that the economy is finally back on track. Over the past two weeks, the percentage of Gallup responders who hold that the economy is getting better has continually increased. From Monday through Wednesday, that percentage—29%—was the highest it’s been since July 2007, USA Today reports. Still, 66% say things are getting worse. But compared to March 9’s survey, the percentage who see things improving has doubled. “There are a number of forces coming together to generate that optimism," said an economist. "Number one, clearly, is the stock market.” Said Gallup’s editor-in-chief: “Attitudes are the easy things to move. Actual real-world change, on retail spending and jobs, I think will follow.” Read These Next North Carolina shooting suspect once walked the red carpet. The gunman who killed 4 at a Michigan church was an ex-marine. 'We heard a big bang,' says churchgoer in Michigan Skydivers leap from plane 2 minutes before fatal crash. Report an error