Sept. 17, 2008

Economy, Jobs Dominate Voters' Minds

CBS News/New York Times Poll Taken During Period Of Grim Financial News Shows Continuing Pessimism About Condition Of Economy

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(CBS)  Nearly half of registered voters say "the economy and jobs" is the most important issue in their decision about whom to support for president, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds.

Forty-eight percent of these voters cited "the economy and jobs," an increase of eight points from one month ago. That's more than 30 percentage points higher than the second most cited issue, "terrorism and national security," cited by 14 percent of registered voters. Another ten percent pointed to "gas prices and energy," while an equal number pointed to health care. Just 8 percent of registered voters cited the war in Iraq.

The poll was conducted between September 12th and 16th, a period of days that was witness to the collapse of Lehman Brothers - the largest bankruptcy in the history of the country - followed by the largest one-day stock market plunge in seven years.

Click Here To Read The Complete Poll

Americans have a slightly more optimistic view of the economy than they did a month ago, but they remain extremely pessimistic. Only 22 percent of Americans say the condition of the national economy is even somewhat good, and six in 10 think the economy is getting worse, not better. About a third of all Americans say they are worse off now than four years ago, and one in five say they are falling behind financially.

Barack Obama rates slightly higher than John McCain in voter confidence in handling the economy, though most voters are at least somewhat confident in both candidates. Sixty percent of voters are very or somewhat confident in Obama's ability to handle the economy, while 53 percent say the same of McCain. Forty-six percent say they are not too confident or not at all confident in McCain, while 39 percent have that opinion of Obama.

Thirty-nine percent of Americans describe the state of the economy as "very bad," down two points from August. Sixty-one percent say it is getting worse, up three points from two months ago.

One in three Americans says their family's financial situation is worse than it was four years ago. Twenty-nine percent say their family's financial situation has improved, while 36 percent say it hasn't changed.

Thirty-seven percent of Americans say they are making enough to save or buy extras. But 44 percent are making just enough to get by, and 17 percent say they are not making enough to pay their bills and meet their other financial obligations.

The unemployment rate has risen steadily over the past year and a half, and in August it rose above 6 percent for the first time in five years. Twenty-nine percent of Americans say that someone in their household has been out of work and looking for a job at some point within the last twelve months. This percentage has been generally consistent over the past twenty-five years during periods of recession and economic hard times.

One in five say they are very concerned that someone in their household will be out of work in the next twelve months, and another one in four are somewhat concerned. More than half are not concerned at all.

_________________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1133 adults nationwide, including 1004 registered voters, interviewed by telephone September 12-16, 2008. Phone numbers were dialed from RDD samples of both standard land-lines and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample and registered voters could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher.

© MMVIII, CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Add a Comment See all 182 Comments
by scorpio59er September 17, 2008 2:07 PM PDT
Try doing this same poll next week.
Reply to this comment
by scorpio59er September 17, 2008 2:10 PM PDT
Before the housing bubble burst, when people still thought they were becoming wealthy with daily increases in their home equity, Bush and the Republicans were beating their chests over the "strong" economy and taking all of the credit for it.

Now that the whole thing has turned to $#!^, they either want to blame Democrats outright or, at the very least, try to spread the blame around.

Typical.
Reply to this comment
by benice6 September 17, 2008 2:20 PM PDT
Ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!

I was on this very web site months ago explaining how it is important to learn to grow and can your own food-like I know, ...and how it''''s important to learn to hunt and smoke your meat(that means preserve your own food for you yankees who are about to have to pimp out your wives to provide a can of beans for your family as the dominoe effect takes out your job, your 500K house and your daughters ***** riding lessons.),.

My point is---Invest in gold,..learn to grow your own food, and get ready to pay survivalist''''s(though I also happen to be married with a college degree too)like me $20 for a can of beans, or $100 for a "beef roast from my smokehouse.)

Ha!!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by republic1776 September 17, 2008 2:20 PM PDT
Obama said this is worst economy since the Great Depression.
Obama made $3,200,000.00 last year.
Hey Vote for Socialist Obama if you want the good ''ol Jimmy Caters days back.
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 September 17, 2008 2:28 PM PDT
The Sept. 14-16 Gallup Poll Daily tracking update shows Barack Obama regaining a slight, although not statistically significant, edge over John McCain, 47% to 45%, among registered voters, marking the first time since the week of the Republican National Convention that McCain has not held at least a one percentage point margin over Obama.
Reply to this comment
by ibzjem September 17, 2008 2:28 PM PDT
McFlip-flop''s net worth is $40.4 MILL.

Hey Vote for Capitalist McSame if you want the same old Bush days to continue.
Reply to this comment
by shoebox119 September 17, 2008 2:46 PM PDT
Let''s see... John McCain, who openly admitted knowing little about how economies works, claims to be the best candidate to solve our nation''s economic woes.

I get it... McCain is cramming for the big test in Econ 101 while his partner/mate, Sarah Palin is down the hall cramming for the big test in Foreign Policy 101. And they want my vote of confidence? LOL

McCain + Palin = McPain
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood September 17, 2008 2:47 PM PDT
Campaigns talking about issues?

Too bad for Grandpa. I''m sure he''d rather talk about lipstick!
Reply to this comment
by ioweign September 17, 2008 2:48 PM PDT
What''s the difference between Carly Fiorina and Phil Gramm?

Phil Gramm attacked Americans, and despite a public rebuke, remains close to the candidate and the campaign.

Carly Fiorina attacked John McCain, and has now been quietly banished from the campaign by a furious John McCain.

Moral of the story: McCain First.
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 September 17, 2008 2:51 PM PDT
Posted by mr22581 at 02:45 PM

Havent you been trying that lie for several days now?
Reply to this comment
by gop_will_win September 17, 2008 2:52 PM PDT
They arent for me and the rest of us who love America. The issues that are most important to us are in order
1) Terrorism
2) Abortion
3) The liberals war on Christmas
Reply to this comment
by gop_will_win September 17, 2008 2:53 PM PDT
I think prayer will calm the financial markets.
Reply to this comment
by simon9999-2009 September 17, 2008 3:00 PM PDT
We''ll all be working at Sarah Mooseburger''s drive-throughs in four years for $6/hour.
Reply to this comment
by ibzjem September 17, 2008 3:01 PM PDT
Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari said that Obama made the demand that Iraq should wait until after the election before talking about withdrawing U.S. Troops.Obama thinks this would help him get elected and he could take credit for bringing the troops home...This borders on Treason...

Posted by mr22581 at 02:40 PM : Sep 17, 2008

Well what about the lies used to get them into Iraq in the first place. You turn a blind eye to that. I say Impeach the P and VP. Should have been done years ago!!

The repubs impeached Clinton for lying about ***, but Bush lying about reasons for war goes unpunished. Congress needs to grow a backbone.
Reply to this comment
by omega40 September 17, 2008 3:04 PM PDT
McCain averages just 0.6% ahead, but that will be gone after today''''s polling.


Don''''t lie, my friend.

You will eventually wear it.

Posted by gun_tower

Yesterday on RCP Obama was just 8 points ahead in the electoral vote, today he is 34
Reply to this comment
by blamegovt September 17, 2008 3:04 PM PDT
61% of Americans are stupid and will not vote anyway.
Reply to this comment
by omega40 September 17, 2008 3:06 PM PDT
61% of Americans are stupid and will not vote anyway.

Posted by BlameGovt

LOL, probably. On the other hand, you have a lot of unemployed people sitting around with extra time on their hands.
Reply to this comment
by skyk239 September 17, 2008 3:08 PM PDT
That ain''t good news for McSame that''s for sure. Obama 08
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 September 17, 2008 3:10 PM PDT
Here''s the thing, these institutions don''t want regulation, but they do want us to bail them out when they are deep in the midst of the results of their quesitonable practices.
Reply to this comment
by skyk239 September 17, 2008 3:10 PM PDT
61% of Americans are stupid and will not vote anyway.

Posted by BlameGovt at 03:04 PM : Sep 17, 2008

Oh Sparky are YOU in for a surprise!! I do now know ANYONE who is NOT fed up with Bush, McSame and the ENTIRE Republican Party. You MUST remember they turned a Government with a Balanced Budget and a Surplus over to these LOSERS!! You have NO idea how much anger there is out here... NONE at all.
Reply to this comment
by dubya_luvr September 17, 2008 3:12 PM PDT
McCain is so hosed...he has to lie in order to not flip-flop, and if he tried to be truthful now the Republican Neocons would turn on him in a heartbeat.

Republicans no longer represent "conservative" views. They represent corporate fascism. The REAL conservatives are voting for Bob Barr.

Republicans: all lies, all fraud, all the time.
Reply to this comment
by shoebox119 September 17, 2008 3:12 PM PDT
Let''''s see... John McCain, who openly admitted knowing little about how economies works, claims to be the best candidate to solve our nation''''s economic woes. Sarah Palin claims foreign policy experience because Russia is right next door to Alaska and can literally see the country from her office window.

I get it... McCain is cramming for the big test in Econ 101 on Nov. 4th while Palin is down the hall cramming for the big one in Foreign Policy 101.

McCain + Palin = McPain
Reply to this comment
by skyk239 September 17, 2008 3:13 PM PDT
You democrats don''''t need to get to excited.Obama is not going to win this election.He does not have a chance and never has.McCain will be the next president.Remember I told you this...

Posted by mr22581 at 03:06 PM : Sep 17, 2008

Why? Why would anyone with a brain vote for the same thing they have NOW! LOL You need to get that foil changed there sparky! I''m serious YOU are on the WRONG channel... big time.
Reply to this comment
by omega40 September 17, 2008 3:13 PM PDT
From electoral vote

Henry Paulson was clearly afraid A.I.G.''s demise would take out too many other big players and wreak massive damage on the economy. The move will be very controversial since it risks public money to protect bad investments made by A.I.G. management. The political fallout will be immense.

This nationalization poses an especially large challenge for John McCain, who is now railing against corporate greed and lack of government regulation of the financial industry. What he doesn''t talk much about is how deregulation happened. It was the 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that repealed the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act and thus eliminated the depression-era walls between between banking, investment, and insurance that made this crisis possible. Glass-Stegall erected walls between banking, investment management, and insurance, so problems in one sector could not spill over into the others, which is precisely what is happening now. The primary author of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act was none other than McCain''s economic advisor, former senator Phil Gramm (who thinks the country is in a "mental recession"). McCain fully supported the bill and has a decades-long track record of opposing government regulation of the financial industry. His new-found conversion to being a fan of regulation is going to be a tough sell as Obama is already pointing out that McCain got what he wanted (deregulation) and this is the consequence.
Reply to this comment
by skyk239 September 17, 2008 3:14 PM PDT
Wait and see....

Posted by mr22581 at 03:09 PM : Sep 17, 2008

Oh no! I AM NOT going to wait and see. I''m going to talk to every neighbor I have, I''m going to tell anyone I come in contact with that WE NEED TO PUT SOME DIFFERENT in office.
Reply to this comment
by dubya_luvr September 17, 2008 3:15 PM PDT
Posted by jaxsterling5 at 03:12 PM : Sep 17, 2008

Quit wasting everyone''s time with this contrived "interview". Cite a source, link it, or just go away.
Reply to this comment
by skyk239 September 17, 2008 3:17 PM PDT
I see Obama has a large group of paid posters on today.You boys don''''t work to hard...

Posted by mr22581 at 03:14 PM : Sep 17, 2008


You are the biggest fraud I''ve ever come in contact with. Day after day you come on here, usually during my Break and say this same thing. EVERY day I ask you to tell us WHO they are and every day you sit and snivel. You are a very disgusting excuse for a human, do you know that!? You KNOW next to NOTHING and are trying VERY hard to make others believe YOU are Superior. Well take it from me loser YOU have failed... BADLY!!
Reply to this comment
by gop_will_win September 17, 2008 3:18 PM PDT
The biggest issue for me this election is government stopping the display of nativity scenes at christmastime.
Reply to this comment
by andrew_693 September 17, 2008 3:18 PM PDT
we will see if the bible and iraq are as important when people begin to loose their jobs.
Reply to this comment
by skyk239 September 17, 2008 3:19 PM PDT
Quit wasting everyone''''s time with this contrived "interview". Cite a source, link it, or just go away.

Posted by dubya_luvr at 03:15 PM : Sep 17, 2008


You are about the 20th one to tell this Trailer Dweller this. I don'' think he has the Intelligence to understand or lacks the intelligence to care. Sure does clutter up things though.
Reply to this comment
by dubya_luvr September 17, 2008 3:19 PM PDT
Hey, jaxsterling5:

Where''s your backup today? Is terror-salami on the ABC forums all morning?

Maybe McCain''s astroturfing efforts have been de-funded. It must be painful having to read the opinions of REAL voters, instead of just spamming the forums endlessly with your RNC talking points.

Republicans: all lies, all fraud, all the time.
Reply to this comment
by skyk239 September 17, 2008 3:20 PM PDT
we will see if the bible and iraq are as important when people begin to loose their jobs.

Posted by andrew_693 at 03:18 PM : Sep 17, 2008

You make a very good point. We''ve lost over 600,000 under Trickle Down this time, wonder how many thousand we''d loose under McSame??
Reply to this comment
by simon9999-2009 September 17, 2008 3:21 PM PDT
Guess we can''t afford Aunt Sarah''s Mooseburgers anymore.
Reply to this comment
by dubya_luvr September 17, 2008 3:22 PM PDT
Obama has spent 500 MILLION DOLLARS and asking for more.The job is not for sale...
Posted by mr22581 at 03:19 PM : Sep 17, 2008

More mindless one-liners from a GOP cheerleader.

So, brainiac, how much did Bush spend on his campaign in 2000? 2004? I imagine it was comparable, if you adjust for Bush-driven inflation.
Reply to this comment
by skyk239 September 17, 2008 3:22 PM PDT
The biggest issue for me this election is government stopping the display of nativity scenes at christmastime.

Posted by gop_will_win at 03:18 PM : Sep 17, 2008


Can I break something to you? People like myself could give a tinkers da@n if your town gets to post the nativity!! Put it in your Da@ned YARD!! I have a Son who is trying desperately to survive with his two kids and Wife. Your right to put up your idol display is NOT high on my list of NEEDS!!
Reply to this comment
by omega40 September 17, 2008 3:25 PM PDT
The biggest issue for me this election is government stopping the display of nativity scenes at christmastime.

Posted by gop_will_win

Christmas has it''s roots in paganism, you don''t want our government pushing pagans, do you?
Reply to this comment
by dubya_luvr September 17, 2008 3:25 PM PDT
I don''''t want Obama supporters to go away.I want to see them lose...
Posted by mr22581 at 03:21 PM : Sep 17, 2008

Perfect example of the seething hatred McCain voters harbor against other Americans. These are the same people who believe they are the True Americans, by virtue of their hatred for the brown peoples of the earth.

Republican: you don''t have to be a racist to be one...but it doesn''t hurt!
Reply to this comment
by kissamaarse September 17, 2008 3:30 PM PDT
McCain - Palin ''08
The Bridge to Nowhere
Reply to this comment
by blamegovt September 17, 2008 3:30 PM PDT
Obama is a clever and dangerous character, he structured his definition of RICH so that enough of the POOR can salivate at the thought of stealing from them and vote Obama in. Do not believe his efforts will work, but we will see in November.
The thing is that someway, somehow, all these programs Obama wants to institute, including the Global Poverty program, will need to be paid for somehow. How? By taking it from the backend of our employers. Those people who sign our paychecks. But those businesses can only stay afloat if they make a profit, basic economics. So they keep those profits by taking away raises, benefits, new employees and so forth. Obama will destroy business, but he does not care as long as he is President. Pathetic.
Reply to this comment
by bobnjersey September 17, 2008 3:32 PM PDT
[Our economy is strong, the American people are happy!!! our troops are fighting a brave but needful war , that they want to fight. Don%u2019t ever forget how much work he has done to help the poor! He did his best work after 9/11 happened, when the country needed him most!!. I%u2019ll DEBATE ANYBODY ON WHY GEORGE W. BUSH SHOULD BE PRESIDENT ANOTHER 8 YEARS.]
[Posted by twalk1122 at 03:29 PM : Sep 17, 2008]

this is either tongue in cheek ... or you''re completely delusional.
Reply to this comment
by dubya_luvr September 17, 2008 3:33 PM PDT
Posted by BlameGovt at 03:30 PM : Sep 17, 2008
+ report abuse

Oooh, look! jaxsterling5 can log in as another username!
Reply to this comment
by mjm117 September 17, 2008 3:34 PM PDT
I''''m not racist.Obama is racist.That is one reason he will lose.Just one of many reasons...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by mr22581 at 03:28 PM : Sep 17, 2008


I love you moronic types. I''ve got nothing valuable to add to a debate, so I''ll just call him racist!

So there!
Reply to this comment
by blamegovt September 17, 2008 3:35 PM PDT
Oooh, look! jaxsterling5 can log in as another username!
---------------
Posted by dubya_luvr

???? - Your assessment is seriously flawed - must be a Obama Supporter?
Reply to this comment
by bobnjersey September 17, 2008 3:35 PM PDT
[The thing is that someway, somehow, all these programs Obama wants to institute, including the Global Poverty program, will need to be paid for somehow. How?]
[Posted by BlameGovt at 03:30 PM : Sep 17, 2008]

is this a problem for you now? has it been for the last eight years?

what''s pathetic is a whole party of idiots calling themselves conservatives ... and ignoring it completely when the economics favor themselves.

every program that has been approved and signed off by gwb ... including all the war funding ... is in the same category ... the category of ''we dont have it''
Reply to this comment
by tonic1111 September 17, 2008 3:36 PM PDT



GO TO THIS WEBSITE AND SEE JOHN MC CAIN TELL TIM RUSSERT THAT THERE''S ALOT HE DOESN''T KNOW ABOUT THE ECONOMY HE STILL NEEDS TO BE EDUCATED.

http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39179-mccain-s-youtube-problem-just-became-a-nightmare

OR, YOU CAN SIMPLY GOOGLE :
"JOHN MC CAIN''S YOUTUBE PROBLEM JUST BECAME A NIGHTMARE"




Reply to this comment
by dubya_luvr September 17, 2008 3:36 PM PDT
while the country is reeling in debt,
barry obama''''s campaign is spending like there is no tomorrow...
Just a little out of touch with reality?
Posted by funzie50 at 03:32 PM : Sep 17, 2008

LOL, another incredibly stupid comment...so, genius, what is a campaign supposed to do with their campaign money? Put it in the stock market?

Quick primer on elections: campaigns raise money to be spent on campaign costs.

What is McCain doing with his money? Something noble? NO. He''s spending every last cent on his campaign, as he is supposed to.

D-
Very poor, even for you.
See me after class.
Reply to this comment
by omega40 September 17, 2008 3:36 PM PDT
The thing is that someway, somehow, all these programs Obama wants to institute, including the Global Poverty program, will need to be paid for somehow. How? By taking it from the backend of our employers. Those people who sign our paychecks. But those businesses can only stay afloat if they make a profit, basic economics. So they keep those profits by taking away raises, benefits, new employees and so forth. Obama will destroy business, but he does not care as long as he is President. Pathetic.

Posted by BlameGovt at

How come anytime money is spent on some program for US citizens there''s big worries about where the money is coming from and whose going to pay it back? Yet, when we spend a trillion dollars bailing investment houses out of their greed fest, or spend 1 trillion first flattening and then rebuilding Iraq, cost or repayment is never part of the equation for Republicans.
Reply to this comment
by gop_will_win September 17, 2008 3:36 PM PDT
Christmas has it''''s roots in paganism, you don''''t want our government pushing pagans, do you?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by omega40
======================
Christmas is the exact day Jesus was born you liberal! It has nothing to do with paganism.
Reply to this comment
by gop_will_win September 17, 2008 3:37 PM PDT
Can I break something to you? People like myself could give a tinkers da@n if your town gets to post the nativity!! Put it in your Da@ned YARD!! I have a Son who is trying desperately to survive with his two kids and Wife. Your right to put up your idol display is NOT high on my list of NEEDS!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by skyk239
=========================
Well he shouldnt have had the two kids until he was darned sure he could afford them!
Reply to this comment
by mjm117 September 17, 2008 3:38 PM PDT
Obama is a clever and dangerous character, he structured his definition of RICH so that enough of the POOR can salivate at the thought of stealing from them and vote Obama in. Do not believe his efforts will work, but we will see in November.
The thing is that someway, somehow, all these programs Obama wants to institute, including the Global Poverty program, will need to be paid for somehow. How? By taking it from the backend of our employers. Those people who sign our paychecks. But those businesses can only stay afloat if they make a profit, basic economics. So they keep those profits by taking away raises, benefits, new employees and so forth. Obama will destroy business, but he does not care as long as he is President. Pathetic.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by BlameGovt at 03:30 PM : Sep 17, 2008


My oh my, so, all knowing one"...what do you propose? Somebody has to pay...you think any president is really going to cut federal spending by enough to balance the books? I got an idea, let''s stop spending $5k/second in Iraq. That might be a good start. You think McCain can balance the books by the end of his first term while we are over in Iraq spending that much EVERY SECOND? Yeah...doubt it. We''ll be no better then Haiti if we have it McCain''s way
Reply to this comment
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