Americans believe feds will improve airport security

As the federal government begins taking over the management of airport security, 71 percent think the feds will improve security, 22 percent say the change will have no effect, and 5 percent think things will get worse, according to a Gallup poll for CNN and USA Today.

Responding to a separate question, 80 percent said they've seen a "great deal" or a "fair amount" of improvement in security at U.S. airports since September 11.

However, despite their apparent confidence in improved airport security, 44 percent of those surveyed also admitted that they were afraid to fly, a statistic that has not changed since mid-November.

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What a difference September 11 has made. Six months ago, 58 percent of adults surveyed by Gallup for CNN and USA Today said that President Bush was doing a good job representing America in the world. Today, that number is 81 percent.

Only 16 percent said the president is not doing a good job in the foreign-policy arena.

When the same question was asked about Bill Clinton in June 1993, 61 percent said he conveyed a positive image to the world. By August 1998, that number had dropped to 54 percent.