Poll: Many pessimistic on political compromise

WASHINGTON - This is one pessimistic country.

Most Americans harbor doubts that President Barack Obama and resurgent Republicans can work together to solve the nation's problems, according to the latest Associated Press-GfK poll. In fact, many lack confidence that last week's elections will change much of anything in Washington.

People are far more negative about the ultimate impact of the first big elections of Obama's presidency, in which the GOP made huge gains, than they were about the results two years ago when voters elected the Democrat and padded his party's House and Senate majorities.

Among the survey's findings:

Four in 10 people say the outcome of last week's elections will be good for the country, while two in 10 say it will be bad.

A third say the new reality - Republicans in control of the House, while Democrats narrowly control the Senate and run the White House - won't make a difference. - AP