The economy is the top concern among North Carolinians.
In a survey by the Elon University Poll, 35 percent of residents cited the economy as the most important issue facing the state, followed by gas prices and elementary and secondary education, at 9 percent each.
Slightly more than half said that the country has "strongly gotten off on the wrong track."
The principle issues that voters said would influence their decisions in the upcoming primary were the economy (88 percent), health care (81 percent) and the Iraq war (80 percent).
Respondents named Hillary Clinton the best presidential candidate to handle health care and education and John McCain the best for immigration, Iraq war, family values and taxes. Barack Obama was not selected as best overall on any issue.
"Interesting in these results are the obvious contrasts expressed by citizens," said Hunter Bacot, director of the Elon University Poll, in a statement. "On the one hand they differ between favored party and favored candidate, but, on the other, they are quite resolute about where things stand and why."
The live-operator poll of 543 North Carolina residents was conducted April 14-17. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.
Comments
Re: Poll: Economy is top concern
April 21, 2008 - 12:45pm — dahedgehogRTB,
This poll suggests that it would be a great idea for the N&O to take an in-depth look at the economic policies of the various candidates. It's at least something that should be done once we've pared down to 2 candidates. If people care about this issue, then they deserve a look at what the proposed policies are.
If you do such a series, I hope you run this graph from Princeton's Larry Bartels: http://rodrik.typepad.com/dani_rodriks_weblog/2008/03/american-politi.html
People need to be informed on the implications of Dem vs. Republican economic policy. Too many people wrongly buy into the myth that "Republicans = good for the economy."