Americans were never "neutral" in their sympathies.
From Day One they wanted to do everything possible to help the Brits -- everything short of war.
But according to the polls, by end of 1940 for the first time: 60% of Americans wanted to continue helping Britain, even if that risked drawing America into the war.
In other words, in December 1940, Americans are still hoping against hope that the US can stay out the war, but are willing to do more and more to help Britain win it.
Roosevelt, bless his lying heart, merely reflected what most Americans already felt.