Now it's been at or above that level for nearly all of the last eight months, obliterating the old mark. The growth in confidence has accelerated lately, with the index rising by 10 points in the last month alone. Credit the nirvana economy, with its growing wages, high employment and low inflation. Nothing influences presidential approval as reliably as the economy, and it seems that Clinton is now drawing on the reservoir of support he's earned through his economic stewardship. Other factors are helping him, as well, but the economy is clearly a key reason that many Americans are giving Clinton the benefit of the doubt with the allegations.
Confidence does continue to lag in other economically vulnerable groups.
7 percent say it's the worst time in their lives financially. Income, not surprisingly, has a lot to do with these views. The worst was 93 percent negative in late 1991 and early 1992. Sixty-three percent rate their finances positively, unchanged. Fifty percent call this a good time to buy things, up a point.