Economy Is Top Issue for 2010, but Partisans Differ on What's Next

Democrats, Republicans and independents all agree that the economy is the most important issue in the 2010 elections but they differ on what comes next, with health care rankling second for the Democrats but not for Republicans or independents, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll conducted March 26-28.

Fifty-eight percent of Democrats, 57 percent of independents and 54 percent of Republicans say the economy is the top issue.

Fifty-five percent of Democrats put health care second and 51 percent rank unemployment as third.

However, 47 percent of Republicans rank terrorism and the federal budget deficit as the next important issues after the economy.

Fifty-two percent of independents say the deficit is second after the economy while unemployment and health care are tied for third at 47 percent each.

Afghanistan is near the bottom of the list for members of all three groups with the percentage of those saying it is an important issue in 2010 ranging from 27 percent to 38 percent.

Way at the bottom, as other recent Gallup surveys have indicated, is the environment and global warming. Thirty-four percent consider that to be an important issue for 2010 while only 18 percent of independents and 16 percent of Republicans agree.

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