Iraq tops list of problems for Democrats

A third of Democrats — 31 percent — identified war, both the three-year-old Iraq war and conflicts in general, as the top problem for the country while 14 percent listed the economy, highlighting an issue at the forefront for Democrats, with less than four months to the midterm elections.

In Connecticut, three-term Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman’s support for the war has made him the target of a tough primary challenge from anti-war candidate Ned Lamont. The two are locked in a close race with the primary on Aug. 8.

Republicans were most likely to mention war, 18 percent; immigration, 14 percent; terrorism, 14 percent, and the economy, 10 percent.

Among registered voters who chose the war as their top issue, 68 percent say they would vote for the Democrat in their district while 26 percent said they would vote for the Republican.

The problem mentioned most often by all the adults polled was the war — in Iraq and conflicts in general — 22 percent; economy at 14 percent; immigration and political leaders at 9 percent; the energy crisis at 8 percent and terrorism at 7 percent.

Other problems mentioned were: morality, 4 percent; education, 3 percent; crime and drugs, 1 percent and the environment, 1 percent.

The remainder cited foreign affairs issues 3 percent; other domestic issues, 3 percent or were undecided.

The poll of 500 adults was taken July 10-12 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

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AP Manager of News Surveys Trevor Tompson and AP News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.

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