President Obama feeling the beginning of 'economic optimism'

Americans are growing more optimistic about the state of the economy and direction of the country, according to a new NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll out Wednesday evening, and President Obama is receiving better grades on his handling of the economy and job as a result.

More people said they believe the economy will get better (37 percent) in the next year rather than worse (17 percent). That’s the highest level in more than a year and a seven-point jump over last month.

And for the first time in six months, more people approve of the job the president is doing (48 percent) than disapprove (46 percent).