Just four percent (4%) of Minnesota voters say the U.S. economy is in good or excellent shape. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of voters in the state finds that 62% rate the economy as poor. In between are 33% who give the economy “fair” marks.

Adding to the gloom, just 26% think things are getting better while 51% say they are getting worse. Overall, these numbers are similar to the national averages.

Twenty-eight percent (28%) of Minnesota voters say that the $787-billion economic stimulus package passed by Congress in February has helped the economy while 33% say it has hurt.

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Minnesota voters are even less enthusiastic about the government takeover of General Motors and Chrysler. Only eight percent (8%) want to see the government retain its ownership stake in the two automakers for a long time while 84% want the government to sell as soon as possible. Sixty-two percent (62%) favor a proposal that would force the government to sell within a year. Again, those figures are similar to the national numbers.

Other national polling shows that Americans overwhelmingly believe that the bailouts helped Wall Street rather than taxpayers.

The president’s top priority - health care reform - gets mixed reviews in Minnesota: 47% favor the plan working its way through Congress and 46% are opposed. As is the case nationally, those who hold strong opinions are more likely to be opposed.

The state’s newest U.S. senator, Democrat Al Franken, is viewed favorably by 49% of voters and unfavorably by 49%. Franken joined the Senate earlier this month after Republican Norm Coleman lost a legal challenge of the vote last November.

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