(Angus Reid - CPOD Global Scan) - Americans have mixed feelings about the way their president will approach certain issues, according to a poll by TNS released by ABC News and the Washington Post. At least 41 per cent of respondents are hopeful about how George W. Bush may deal with Supreme Court appointments, the economy and the situation in Iraq.

In the United States, Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president and confirmed by a majority vote in the Senate. In October, chief justice William Rehnquist—who first joined the tribunal in 1972—was hospitalized and treated for thyroid cancer. Eight of the nine current justices are over 65 years of age, and three members—Sandra Day O'Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Paul Stevens—have had health problems.

In December, the United States economy added 157,000 new jobs, bringing the 2004 total to 2.2 million. The country's unemployment rate is currently at 5.4 per cent.

Yesterday, Bush was officially sworn in as president at a ceremony in Washington. Just over a third of respondents are hopeful about Bush's policies on abortion, the environment, same-sex marriage and Social Security.

Polling Data

When you think about how the George W. Bush administration may deal with the following policies, do you feel mostly hopeful or mostly fearful, or would you say your feelings are mixed?

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