Poll shows optimism despite hard times

A new season is on the way. Many people in Wisconsin, like small business owner Dawn Patel, are hoping for a brighter future.

"If I sink into the pessimistic thoughts that some people have then I'll probably be paralyzed by those," Patel said. "I'd rather believe that things can get better, they usually do. Things usually go in cycles."

Patel is not alone. A new survey shows 40% of likely voters in Wisconsin think the state's economy will get better in the next year. Fourteen percent think it will get worse. The survey was directed by a UW-Madison professor. It was commissioned by the conservative Wisconsin Policy Research Institute. Despite the optimism, 57% of people surveyed say the state is on the wrong track compared to 34% who say the state is on the right track.

"I think the American people are frustrated with the inability of government to make progress on its issues," said David Littig, a retired political science professor from UW-Green Bay. Littig said those frustrations could have political implications.

"You always blame the team that's in power when things go bad and people want to see something different," Littig said.

The survey also takes a look ahead to the fall elections. At this point, it looks like there could be some pretty tight races. According to the poll, Republicans Scott Walker and Mark Neumann are both in a virtual tie with Democrat Tom Barrett in the governor's race. Walker leads by four points, but that is still within the margin of error.

Littig said people can't put too much stock in polls conducted this early. After all, the elections are still months away.

"At that time the poll results may be different," Littig said.

The survey was conducted earlier this month and included 600 likely voters in Wisconsin.