Election Issues Excel in America
National Issues Shine in New Hampshire Presidential Primaries
Health, economic, social, ethical and environmental issues are among the main concerns of voters in the Granite State and other American state primaries.
Change, elect-ability, stability, experience and congeniality are all good concepts to examine a candidate; however, ultimately voters vote their pockets or personalities. According to The Centre for Research into Elections and Social Trends (CREST), “voters are becoming more sophisticated in the use of 'tactical voting' as a way of expressing their preferences.” The keyword is “their” preferences, for the pulse of any democratic nation is the personal preference of the voter. Ms Donna Brazile, former campaign manager for Vice President Al Gore, in an interview with Harvard Law Professor Randall Kennedy, said in December: “ultimately voters select a candidate because of the issues they want…personal appeal…will give way to personal issues.”
Election Issues
According to the December 28th Associated Press/Yahoo Poll, the top 10 issues for all voters nationwide vary little. When compared to a January 7th USA TODAY/Gallup Poll in NH of democratic voters, the national trend differs little in NH.
- Healthcare (53%)* – 27% of NH voters said this is the most important issue in America (according to the Gallup poll.) Nationwide 53% of Republicans and Democrats find it the most important issue.
- Economy (52%)* - Karlyn Bowman from the American Enterprise Institute told Cindy Saine of Voice of America on December 21st 2007; “There is a lot of talk in America about our economy….Certainly the public is very pessimistic…with about 70 percent of Americans saying that we are heading into a recession." The AP poll shows 52% of Americans feel it is the most pressing issue today.
- Social Security (48%)* – narrowly besting fuel prices, SS is still a top issue nationally. Long considered the “third rail of politics,” 2008 may see a change.
- Gas Prices ((48%)* – a new issue that has only recently made it into the top ten; yet, it holds a significant position as the 4th most important issue facing America. This issues ties closely with security and economic concerns. The CATO Institute said “The best way to break the back of OPEC is to produce more oil here at home; if only our politicians would allow it.”
- War in Iraq (46%)* – still a very strong position nationally but it ranks number 1 in NH. A state long on giving of its young, New Hampshire voters buck the national trend in demanding accountability. Jon Greenburg of NPR said in November: “What do Democrats in New Hampshire…think about where their party should stand on efforts to end the war in Iraq? Most want national Democrats to keep pushing for a pullout.”
- Political Corruption/Lobbyists (46%)* – just below the war in Iraq, the lobby issue is one John Edwards has successfully tapped into. It ranks high across both Republicans and Democrats.
- Terrorism (45%)* – sitting in the bottom third of the national list it is last on the NH list.
- Taxes (41%)* – the perennial stalwart has remained quite low this year – a potential blow to Republicans who rant about the “tax and spend Democrats.”
- Immigration (37%)* – an issue that is gaining strength across party lines; however, the polls do not indicate specifically what needs to be accomplished. From the previous Bush/McCain/Kennedy alliance this could be an extremely divisive and twisted issue come the general election.
- The Environment (33%)* – Falling to the bottom of the national list it still gets bipartisan support. This issue is slightly higher in the energy conscious state of NH.
* National percentages based upon AP poll
