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Feb. 19, 2026 11:36-11:53 - CSPAN
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Optimism About the Country 00:14:44
Tell high school seniors the best way to prepare for whatever's next is to do whatever you're doing now really well.
And I think this administration is doing that, and I think that's the right approach.
Do you think that it should be a your party should nominate a governor in 2028?
I think we are three years away.
And if I've learned one thing in politics, three years is an absolute lifetime right now.
So we are a long ways away from that.
I think we should concentrate on holding the House in the midterms and electing more governors to state capitals in the next election cycle.
Got it.
So Governor Armstrong's not ready to play the prediction market yet.
All right.
Well, look, Governor, thank you so much for taking the time.
I really appreciate this thoughtful conversation and appreciate you coming out here to talk more about this.
So thanks.
Governor Armstrong.
Welcome Politico's Chief Commercial Officer, Callie Bowdy, and American Beverage Association's Executive Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Christine Burgesson.
We'll have more from the Politico Governor's Summit with Colorado's Jared Polis as state leaders discuss what's on their agenda ahead of the midterm elections.
In the meantime, we'll take a look at some of today's Washington Journal.
Welcome to today's Washington Journal.
Start with the Associated Press, an article about that poll with this headline: What a new Gallup poll shows about the depth of Americans' gloom.
It says, Americans' hope for their future has fallen to a new low.
According to new polling, in 2025, only about 59% of Americans gave high ratings when asked to evaluate how good their life will be in about five years.
It's the lowest annual measure since Gallup began asking this question almost 20 years ago.
Let's look at the poll itself.
Here is what it looks like visually.
So this is the green line is current life, and then the dark blue line is the future life.
And you can see here over since 2009 what that looks like.
Here's the question that they asked.
So here's the question.
Please imagine a ladder with steps numbered from zero at the bottom to 10 at the top.
The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you, and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you.
On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?
And then they asked, on which step do you think you will stand about five years from now?
So that's the questions that they asked their poll.
And if you're interested, they had 22,125 interviews with U.S. adults as part of a Gallup panel, and that encompasses all 50 states and D.C.
So we're asking you that question.
If you'd like to weigh in, you can go ahead and call us now.
Here is what the Washington Post said about this poll.
They said the number of Americans who anticipate they will have high quality lives in five years' time has dropped to a nearly two-decade low, according to a poll released today.
Around six in 10 people surveyed said they expected their lives would be significantly better in the future than today.
That is about nine percentage points lower than during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Gallup.
That's from the Washington Post.
This also is from the Washington Post.
They said this.
Gallup has used two questions to gauge the national mood as part of its national health and well-being index.
Its poll asked around 22,000 adult respondents to rank their current life and where they imagine their lives will be in five years' time on a scale of 1 to 10.
Both ratings have slumped over the past five years across a pandemic.
Affordability issues, turbulent national politics, and global conflicts.
The steep drop in optimism in 2025 suggests some Americans think their lives will worsen still.
So, what do you think if you were answering that question?
Where would you put yourself on those steps from zero to ten?
And where do you think that would be in five years?
Let's start with Jeffrey and Greensboro, North Carolina, Republican.
Good morning, Jeffrey.
Good morning.
Thank you for taking the call.
Actually, it's almost what the Washington Post kind of reiterated.
It's actually right on point.
It is getting harder every month after month to sustain the struggle that the economy, a normal person, is experiencing.
You know, it's just somewhat, you know, very unfortunate.
You know, you have people putting out these surveys or Gallup polls.
Like, what part of America are people getting these folds from?
Because average Americans in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a struggle here.
It's homeless everywhere.
It's jobs lost everywhere.
It's businesses closed.
It's really a textile state where all of these manufacturing jobs are gone.
So to see what's going on now, with, like you were reading out with the Washington Post, the global economic aspects of war and so much financial money is invested global or international-wise, right here in your own backyard with so many just recent catastrophic natural disasters.
So, Jeffrey, let me ask you the same question.
So on that scale, 0 to 10, where do you see yourself right now?
What number?
At least about a four and a half.
A four and a half was previously, I would say with optimistic, climbing up, but absolutely not.
Everything is up.
Utility is up.
Water builds up.
Okay, so that's the aspect.
So Jeffrey, let me ask you the next question, which is: okay, you're at a four and a half now.
Where do you think you'll be standing in five years?
What number?
I pray.
I honestly, only Lord Mouth Savior know if I'm going to be alive in five years.
I would hope it's a better outcome.
All right, Larry.
Let's check in with Larry in Minnesota, Independent Line.
Go ahead, Larry.
Harry.
Hi.
I think this country's going just perfectly in the right direction.
Oh, hell, we got to be, I got to be at least a 10 or a 20 for optimistic.
I mean, with Trump and Yahoo shooting fish in a barrel, how can you lose?
You know, it's got to help all the world situation.
And, oh, this little bit of terrorism happening here, you know, from a few Muslim jeepers.
It's got to put a stop to it.
Let's just shoot Iran all to hell.
They're right in a barrel.
Gosh, you could probably chuckle while they're running around.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
George in Buffalo, New York, Republican.
Go ahead.
Hi, thanks for taking my call.
Yeah, I'm very optimistic.
I think things are going solid in the right direction.
I think a big problem is you're always getting the negatives from the other side.
I mean, Trump's been in office for one year, okay?
He's got a solid foundation.
He's protected our borders.
GDP is up.
Jobs are up despite what the other side is saying.
And I think if you just try to work together to move things forward, I think things will change their attitude.
They always want to say the other side that, no, things are bad.
Things are bad.
Things are bad, just like what happened in Munich.
I mean, you had three or four Democrats going overseas, making our country look bad when I think that was totally wrong.
And I think there's plenty of opportunity for younger people to go to school and get a good education.
Even the trades, the trades are booming.
If they're not educationally inclined, they can pick a good trade.
And if you work hard, I'm a firm believer, and that's the wonderful thing about our country, capitalism.
It's the reason why a lot of other people want to come here.
If you work hard and apply yourself, the sky's the limit.
So I'm very, very optimistic.
Okay, so, George.
Okay, so you personally, I heard what you said about the kind of the country as a whole.
You personally, what step are you on, your personal circumstances, and where do you think you'll be in five years?
Well, I'm in my mid-60s, but I'm still working, and I want to work until I die.
I love my work.
And so, I mean, I've worked hard my whole life.
I managed to save things.
And hopefully, if I live to be in my 70s and 80s, sooner or later, I may be cut back.
But I'm proud of our country.
And I think if people work together rather than always the other side taking negative attitudes, and I mean, let's face it, I mean, Trump could walk on water and they'll find something wrong with him.
If we work together, you'll move forward, especially the country as a whole, and things will be great.
I mean, I think this two-party, I can't stand you stuff.
I think if everybody joins together, we'll be great.
All right, George.
Some news for you, just for your awareness.
Andrew Mountainbout in Windsor, this is the former Prince Andrew in the UK, has been arrested.
It says on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
And this is the BBC reporting.
King Charles has said that the law must take its course after Andrew's arrest.
Of course, that's his brother.
It says, I have learned, this is King Charles's statement.
I have learned with deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountainbout in Windsor and suspicion of misconduct, public office.
What now follows is a full, fair, and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.
We will keep you updated if anything else happens with that.
But that just happened.
Kevin, Windsor, Connecticut, Independent, optimistic, pessimistic about the direction of the country.
Well, I guess it's pessimism.
I'm not looking good.
The future ain't looking good.
I mean, that's $75 billion.
We better start making five aircraft carriers for that money because now we don't have any allies over in the Middle East.
And, you know, it was so easy for Trump and the Republican Party to give Europe to Russia on a silver platter.
And all of us, pretty much all of us came from Europe.
We all got families over there.
And how this country could turn their back on Europe is disgraceful.
And now we're defending the Middle East for Bitcoin's and Kushner's investments and Trump's investments over there in the Middle East.
This ain't about nuclear bombs over Iran.
They're afraid that Iran is going to drop bombs on their investments over there.
That's what this is all about.
Now, when you look at those ships over there in the water, that's just us now, with no allies.
And I think America, I'm ashamed about our country now, where it's going to.
Of course, nobody's above the law over Europe, as we can see this morning.
You know, the victims here in America, American daughters, they're not getting justice here.
All right, Kevin.
And speaking of the Middle East, Caroline Levitt, White House press secretary at a briefing yesterday, was asked about the potential for a military strike on Iran.
Here's that exchange.
There's many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran.
The president had a very successful operation as commander-in-chief with Operation Midnight Hammer, as you know, as you just said, totally obliterated Iran's nuclear facilities.
The president has always been very clear, though, with respect to Iran or any country around the world.
Diplomacy is always his first option.
And Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with this administration.
He's talking to many people, of course, his national security team, first and foremost.
And you know who the members of that team are.
And this is something, obviously, the president takes seriously.
He's always thinking about what's in the best interest of the United States of America, of our military, of the American people.
And that's how he makes decisions with respect to military action of any kind.
And our topic is whether you're optimistic or pessimistic about the direction of the country.
Check in with Facebook postings.
Here's Mike who says: I'm pretty sure that potential war with Iran and the ever more disgusting revelations regarding Epstein, including the arrest of former Prince Andrew, is more newsworthy.
And Andrew says, with the current leadership, pessimistic.
Create love is neutral at the moment.
And Mohammed says, I'm optimistic.
With strong leadership like Trump, America can get back on the right path.
You can also let us know what you think on Facebook or on Twitter, or send a text, or you can call, like Trevor is in Washington, D.C. Democrat.
Good morning, Trevor.
Hi, good morning.
It is an interesting and beautiful day in D.C.
We are getting the weather we deserve.
If anyone's listening outside of the country, it is dreadful outside.
I'm optimistic about the future of our country.
Even though things, the walls seem to be kind of falling down.
What was the news about Iran?
Ukraine at the brink.
And somewhat of a reckoning with the behavior of powerful figures, the Epstein files.
I think this is a turning point.
Poll after poll is showing people are no longer trusting Trump to tell the truth.
And they're having to look at the evidence of their own eyes.
They're having to look at each other over the kitchen table and see: have we bought into a bill of goods?
Turning Point Polls Revealing 00:02:12
Now, maybe the answer is no, but it's really important that people ask that question because that's the nexus where citizenship starts again and people start taking responsibility for their own government.
That makes me very optimistic for both Republicans and Democrats.
All right, Trevor.
Talk to James next.
Newark, New Jersey, Independent Line.
Go ahead, James.
Yes, Hijard.
Nah, thanks for having me, Steve Penn.
Now, I can vote.
Both of them, optimists and pessimists.
Now, Jesus, the Bible, all the signs is fulfilled.
Matt 24.
All the signs are fulfilled.
So, he may come back sooner than five weeks from now.
Sorry, James, I am having a bit of trouble making out what you're saying.
Sorry about that.
Anthony in Cape Coral, Florida, Republican line, you're on the air.
Good morning.
I'm optimistic.
I rate it around, I say seven and a half right now because it just started, you know, to turn over from what we've been in for four years.
And then I was kind of saying, like, where do the polls come from?
Are they all blue states?
Are they all red states?
Actually, I have that information for you, Anthony.
And this, it's called a probability-based panel encompassing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
That's from Gallup.
So they have what's called a Gallup panel, and it's 22,125 interviews with U.S. adults.
Okay.
Yeah, because like blue states, the red states are totally different.
Like where I live in Jersey, for example, like the gas tax.
So say Trump lowers the gas tax for us, you know, to drive.
The blue states, like I looked it up, the blue states raised the gas tax.
So I live in Florida now.
So our gas tax actually went down, actually lower because the states control the gas.
We leave this to take you back live to the Politico Governor Summit in conversation with Jared Polis of Colorado.
Thanks for having me.
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