STEVE INSKEEP, host: Now, the president prepares for that speech knowing that most Americans do not like where the country is going. The Associated Press and AOL took a survey. It finds that two-thirds of those responding believe the country is on the wrong track. It's a big change from five years ago when two-thirds of Americans thought the country was moving in the right direction. Same survey finds the minority regards the president as honest, and most are doubtful that Republicans and Democrats can work together.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: Earlier this month on MORNING EDITION, a leading Democrat told us there was not much time. He said that by August of this year, all efforts at cooperation in Congress would be overshadowed by the 2008 presidential election. Over the weekend, three more presidential candidates stepped in.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton said she's forming an exploratory committee, so is Democratic governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico. Republican Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas says he's running. And the two parties now have about a dozen serious contenders, with more giving a thought.
An Associated Press and AOL survey finds that two-thirds of those who responded believe the country is on the wrong track. Five years ago, two-thirds of Americans thought the country was moving in the right direction.