Feb. 28--ELON -- More than half of North Carolinians support the federal government's economic stimulus efforts and expect the $787 billion spending plan to help the economy.

But a sizable minority opposes the stimulus.

Those findings were part of an Elon University Poll taken Sunday through Thursday.

The poll found 52 percent support the stimulus plan, and more than 54 percent think it will improve the economy.

Thirty-nine percent disapprove, and more than 30 percent think it will hurt the economy. Nearly 7 percent think it will make no difference.

Poll results were released Friday, based on surveys of 758 North Carolina residents. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

Among the poll's other findings: Most people surveyed think President Barack Obama is doing a good job handling the economy. Fifty-four percent approved or strongly approved of his job performance in that area, compared to 31 percent who disapproved or strongly disapproved.

Obama got higher approval ratings for his overall job performance. Fiftynine percent approved or strongly approved, with 24.5 percent disapproving or strongly disapproving.

Obama fared better than the Republicans in Congress when people who were asked who they trust to do the best job "dealing with the main issues the nation faces." Nearly 46 percent trusted Obama most, with 21 percent saying they trust Congressional Republicans most and 9.7 percent trusting Congressional Democrats the most.

Almost half -- 46 percent -- of people surveyed have "some confidence" in the U.S. Congress. An additional 13 percent have "a lot of confidence," for a total of 59 percent. Twenty-two percent said they don't have much confidence, with 16 percent having "no confidence at all," for a total of 38 percent.

People have mixed opinions on what is likely to happen with the national and state economies this year.

Forty-four percent expect the national economy to get worse, 21 percent think it will stay about the same, and 32 percent think it will get better.

A little more than 41 percent think the state economy will get worse, 28 percent think it will stay about the same, and 28.5 percent think it will get better.

Economic issues are by far the most important facing the state, people surveyed said. Forty-two percent said the economy in general is the most important issue, and nearly 30 percent said jobs and unemployment are the most important.

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