No one can deny that the economy is in a mess to put it bluntly. For two straight months there has been a decline in employment. January was the first month that saw an employment decline since 2003. There are many who would say we are in a recession. The question is who is to blame and who is to be trusted to set the economy on the right course so the United States can reclaim its place as one of the leaders of the world’s economy.

According to the latest poll from Rasmussen Reports states that 81% of the voters say that the economy is a very important issue in the campaign. The poll shows that 49% of the country’s voters trust the Democrats more than the Republicans and 38% trust the Republicans more than the Democrats. However, the poll also shows that when you take the three candidates as individuals, Clinton, Obama and McCain come out pretty much equal not only on the economy, but on other issues also. This seems to be a contradiction of opinion. The same people are saying two different things. One possibility is that the voters are taking into consideration the whole political spectrum-Congress as well as the Presidency. The question is, will the general belief in the Democratic policy actually give Obama or Clinton a boost over McCain even though the three of them are so close?

In just two months, according to Rasmussen, the public opinion has turned. Back in January the Republicans were favored in 4 out of the 10 issues that Rasmussen tracks each month. Now, they are most trusted only on National Security, but not by very much. The Republicans are favored by 46% and the Democrats by 44%. Strangely enough, this issue is considered important by just 66% of the voters.

While the Democrats have an 11% lead on the issue of the economy, they are in a virtual tie with the Republicans on the issue of taxes at 43%. This issue if thought of as being very important by 58% of the voters.

The Democrats lead the Republicans by a large margin, 50% to 35% on the issue of health care, which is viewed as very important by 61%. Education is considered very important by 63% and Social Security by 61%. The Democrats have a 10% lead on both of these issues.

How do these results match up to your opinion? Vote for what you consider to be the most important issue of the campaign. Tomorrow we will give you the chance to pick which candidates economic policy you think is the best.

Popularity: 3% [?]