Political Pulse | The Associated Press-Yahoo! News Poll

The power of one

The percentage of Americans who think a president can have at least some influence on big issues:

• Inflation: 73 percent
• Interest rates: 66 percent
• Gasoline prices: 69 percent
• Housing prices: 59 percent
• Federal budget deficit: 86 percent
• Taxes: 88 percent
• Health care costs: 76 percent
• The way other countries view the U.S.: 87 percent

So, is Washington fixable?

The answer depends on which voters you ask.

Overall, 55 percent of people think it's possible to change how things work in Washington if the right person is elected president.

But here's how the outlook varies by party affiliation:

• Democrats: 65 percent
• Republicans: 50 percent
• Independents: 40 percent

Change vs. experience?

Some 58 percent of Democrats prefer a president who will change how things are done; 47 percent of Republicans agree. Among Republicans, 52 percent prefer someone with experience in Washington who can get things done; 41 percent of Democrats agree.

Bah, humbug!

Eighty-seven percent of Democrats think the country is on the wrong track. So do 82 percent of independents and 53 percent of Republicans.