U.S. POLL POSITIVE FOR POLITICS, ECONOMY

A recent nationwide poll indicates a positive mood around the country. Almost half of the respondents to the poll say they are "satisfied" with the way things are going. Nearly two-thirds said congressional incumbents deserve re-election. And the respondents gave President Clinton a 59 percent approval rating, nearly as high as President Reagan's 62 percent at the same point in his second term.

The poll was conducted by Pew Research Center, and it showed some other interesting trends. For example, interest in a third political party has waned to 47 percent overall from 58 percent a year ago. "People aren't as upset with Washington as they used to be," said Washington pollster Frank Luntz.

Typically, such positive poll results often can be linked with specific events. Most Americans will recall the euphoria that followed the successful U.S. involvement in the Gulf War -- so positive that many pundits said George Bush would be unbeatable in his bid for a second term.

There is something to be said for a winning team, and the recent poll shows most Americans regard the current Congress as a political system that works. Welfare reform and the new balanced-budget package that includes tax cuts would be high on any list of reasons why the mood is so upbeat.

A strong economy, though, is clearly the leading reason for such a positive poll that seems to cut across political divides as well as age and income groups. Low unemployment and interest rates coupled with a heady stock market continue to buoy spirits in most quarters.

There are two lines of reasoning that naturally follow positive polls: One is that the country should find ways to build on the successes that have made Americans feel good about their government and themselves. The other is that great care should be taken not to mess up something that is working so well.