Poll says economy is top US concern
By Diego Ibarguen, Knight Ridder, 4/19/2003
ASHINGTON -- For the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the American people are more concerned about the nation's economic woes than about terrorism, war, or Iraq, a poll suggests.
The poll, released yesterday by the Pew Research Center, found that 41 percent of respondents cited the economy, unemployment, or the federal budget deficit as the nation's biggest problem, while 29 percent pointed to issues related to war and terrorism.
President Bush's approval rating remains high -- 72 percent -- but that apparently has not translated into solid political support. Nineteen months before the 2004 presidential election, 48 percent of registered voters polled said they would support his reelection, while 34 percent said they would prefer a Democratic candidate.
Bush's approval rating is up from a prewar rating of 55 percent, but is still well below the 89 percent approval mark his father, President George H.W. Bush, reached after the 1991 Gulf War.
While 97 percent of Republicans support Bush, Democrats were divided, with 52 percent approving of Bush's performance and 39 percent disapproving. Following the 1991 Gulf War, the elder Bush was backed by 72 percent of Democrats. With public attention focused on the war in Iraq, Democratic presidential candidates have had a hard time getting their names out, the poll indicated.
Only 32 percent of respondents could offer a name when asked who was running for the 2004 Democratic nomination for president. Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts led the familiarity race with 11 percent, followed by Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut with 8 percent.
Both major parties received positive ratings, with 57 percent saying they have a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party, and 63 percent favorable toward the Republican Party.
The random telephone poll of 924 adults was taken April 10-16. It has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
This story ran on page A4 of the Boston Globe on 4/19/2003.
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