Ever since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many Americans have believed that the events of that horrible day changed the United States forever.

In the immediate aftermath, 57% thought the nation had changed for the better. That number actually grew to 61% by January 2002. Now, half a decade later, just 21% of American adults hold that optimistic view. Fifty-four percent (54%) say the changes have been for the worse.

Similar trends are found in other questions asked regularly since the terrorist attacks.

Three years ago, 67% of all Americans believed the world would be a better place if other countries were more like our own. Today, that number has fallen to 51%.

Early in 2002, 61% thought the country was safer than it was before 9/11 (about the same as believed that a year ago). Today, that number has fallen to 36%.

Today, 41% of Americans believe that the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terror. Two years ago, more than 50% held that view.

The increasing pessimism has caused Americans to revise their assessment of the way that President Bush responded to the terrorist attacks. Today, just 42% rate his performance as good or excellent. That’s down from 51% a year ago and 56% two years ago.

Almost a third, 32%, now say the President’s response was poor.

Democrats tend to be more negative on these questions than Republicans. Only 10% of Democrats think the country has changed for the better, versus 42% of Republicans. Most Republicans say the U.S. is safer now than it was before 9/11; less than a fifth of Democrats do. Almost six times as many Republicans as Democrats rate Bush's response to 9/11 excellent; 52% of Democrats call it poor.

From an ideological perspective, 55% of conservatives believe the mission in Iraq will ultimately be considered a success. Liberals, by a 79% to 11% margin, take the opposite view.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of conservatives believe the world would be a better place if other countries were more like the USA. Liberals are evenly divided on this question-36% say the world would be better, 34% disagree, and 29% are not sure.

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