By 5:1, Americans Say US Economy is Going to Get Worse; Majority Now Fear Their Bank Will Fail: Americans are split on whether their representative in Congress should vote ‘For’ or ‘Against’ an economic rescue plan, but Americans overwhelmingly believe the US economy is going to get worse, according to a SurveyUSA poll completed moments ago. Key findings:* 76% say things are going to get worse, compared to 14% who say things are as bad as they are going to get.
* 41% say they want their representative in Congress to vote ‘For’ a rescue. (No difference between Democrats and Republicans).
* 33% say they want their representative in Congress to vote ‘Against’ a rescue. (No difference between Democrats and Republicans.)
* 53% now worry that the bank where they have their money will fail, up slightly in the past 24 hours. But: in a sign that people still have confidence in the FDIC, just 12% of Americans have changed how and where they are keeping their money. 87% have not.

1,200 Americans age 18+ were interviewed 09/26/08, after John McCain and Barack Obama announced that they would debate in Mississippi tonight, but before the debate took place, and before details of any economic rescue plan had been worked out. The interviews were conducted at a time of extraordinary economic and political turbulence. This survey should be viewed as a freeze-frame snapshot of public opinion at a unique moment in American history. Opinions are fluid, and can and should be expected to change as news events continue to unfold. There are advantages and disadvantages of conducting research with a short field-period.

Full results are here.