Four percent (4%) of Americans rate 2006 as one of the best years ever. Another 40% say it was a good or an excellent year.

While 44% say it was at least a good year, 34% say it was just fair and 19% say the past year was a poor one.

The Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of 1,000 adults found that 49% of men viewed the outgoing year as good, excellent, or best ever. Just 38% of women gave such an optimistic review. Women were far more likely to give 2006 a “fair” rating—42% held that view along with just 26% of men (see crosstabs).

Looking ahead to 2007, hopes are in place for a somewhat better year. Nine percent (9%) expect 2007 to be one of the best years ever while an additional 48% say it will be good or excellent. Just 10% believe the year ahead will be a poor one.

Younger Americans offer a similar assessment of 2006 as their elders. However, when looking to 2007, younger adults are more optimistic. Among those under 30, 16% expect the New Year to be one of the best ever. Among Americans over 65, just 4% hold that view.

Upper income Americans and married Americans are more upbeat in their assessment of 2006 and their expectations for 2007.

The political change brought about by voters in November appears to have little impact on the numbers. Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to say that 2006 was at least a good year. Republicans are also far more likely to expect good things in 2007.

A separate survey found that American voters are less optimistic about the nation’s future than they were a few years ago. A plurality now believes that the nation’s best days are behind us.

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