year. that number is down from 65% a year ago. the poll shows americans' negativity about the economy has grown, with republican, independents and democrats all sounding more pessimistic about the future of the economy than they did a year ago. and you don't have to look very far for the reasons either, although the economy has posted four consecutive quarters of growth, the growth has been sluggish and inconsistent and weak. then there is the continuing high unemployment rate, close to 10%, and soaring underemployment. some say it is close to double that. as we told you yesterday in the cafferty file, above vert city now reaching record levels not seen in decades in this country. all this goes to show why americans see the economy as the most important problem facing the country. it's the economy, stupid. and the most important issue in the midterm elections. no doubt, president obama and the democrats facing an uphill battle to prove to the voters ahead of those midterms that the billions and billions of dollars