How America Has Changed Since the 2008 Election

See how public opinion has turned in the past four years.

Bleak Future - “Ye of little faith” is one way to describe how some Americans think the economy will fare in 2013. Twenty-five percent expect it to be worse off a year from now, which is the highest level since June 2011, according to a Pew poll released Dec. 18. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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The Economy - BET.com analyzes new findings from the Pew Research Center and Gallup polling organization to compare voter attitudes from the 2008 election and today. —Britt Middleton In the 2008 and 2012 elections, 87 percent of people said the economy is "very important" to their vote, surpassing other issues including energy, terrorism and immigration. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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The Role of Government - In 2008, 46 percent of voters said they preferred a smaller federal government that provided fewer services. Today, 56 percent of voters agree with that statement. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Congress - Just 14 percent of respondents said they approve of the job that Congress is doing. The poll also found that 44 percent of voters said they prefer a GOP-controlled Congress, while 43 percent said Democrats should be in charge. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

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Congress' Failing Grade  - In 2012, 65 percent of people view Congress unfavorably, up from 51 percent in 2008.   (Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

America's Leadership - The number of Americans who feel America is falling behind globally has nearly doubled in the past four years. In 2008, just 26 percent of Americans believed China led the world in economic production, compared to 41 percent today. (Photo: AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

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America's Leadership - The number of Americans who feel America is falling behind globally has nearly doubled in the past four years. In 2008, just 26 percent of Americans believed China led the world in economic production, compared to 41 percent today. (Photo: AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Democrats Lose Ground - In 2008, 51 percent of Americans identified as Democrats compared to 48 percent in 2012. Republicans, however, have seen an increase from 39 percent in 2008 to 43 percent in 2012. (Photos: Courtesy GOP.org, Democrats.org)

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Democrats Lose Ground - In 2008, 51 percent of Americans identified as Democrats compared to 48 percent in 2012. Republicans, however, have seen an increase from 39 percent in 2008 to 43 percent in 2012. (Photos: Courtesy GOP.org, Democrats.org)

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Social Influence - Social media sites make connecting to the presidential candidates easier than ever before, and more Americans are taking advantage. In 2012, more than 41 million people have "liked" the candidates on Facebook, up from only 2 million in 2008. (Photos from left: Barack Obama/Facebook, Mitt Romney/Facebook)

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Social Influence - Social media sites make connecting to the presidential candidates easier than ever before, and more Americans are taking advantage. In 2012, more than 41 million people have "liked" the candidates on Facebook, up from only 2 million in 2008. (Photos from left: Barack Obama/Facebook, Mitt Romney/Facebook)

Claim: Obama Bashed McCain for Cost-Saving Medicare Policies - TRUE: In a campaign ad entitled "It Ain't Right," Obama is accused of slashing $700 billion from Medicare to pay for Obamacare, even though he bashed Sen. John McCain for similar cost-saving plans in 2008. While fact-checkers haven't fully endorsed the $700 billion figure, it is true that Obama inaccurately characterized McCain's health care plan as more than $800 billion in cuts from services and benefits in 2008.  

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Obama vs. McCain in 2008 - Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain and then-Sen. Obama split support 50-50 among male voters. President Obama edged out McCain 57 to 43 percent among women. (Photos from left: Alex Wong/Getty Images, Steve Pope/Getty Images)

Photo By Photos from left: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Obama vs. Romney in 2012 - Mitt Romney leads President Obama 57 to 43 percent among male voters. Women still favor Obama in the polls, 54 to Romney's 46 percent. (Photos from left: AP Photo/Matt Rourke, REUTERS/Dominick Reuter)

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Obama vs. Romney in 2012 - Mitt Romney leads President Obama 57 to 43 percent among male voters. Women still favor Obama in the polls, 54 to Romney's 46 percent. (Photos from left: AP Photo/Matt Rourke, REUTERS/Dominick Reuter)

Obama's Approval Rating - President Obama had an initial job approval rating of 66 percent when he took office in January 2009. The most recent poll numbers from Gallup report Obama's approval rating at 50 percent. (Photo: John Gurzinski/Getty Images)

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Obama's Approval Rating - President Obama had an initial job approval rating of 66 percent when he took office in January 2009. The most recent poll numbers from Gallup report Obama's approval rating at 50 percent. (Photo: John Gurzinski/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: John Gurzinski/Getty Images