The Des Moines Register yesterday posted the latest poll results showing John Edwards and Mitt Romney ahead in Iowa according to 801 prospective caucusgoers. What was much more interesting to me was the division on the priority of the importance of issues between Republican and Democrat caucusgoers.For example, while Democrats put the war in Iraq on top of their list, it comes in number four to Republicans. Where terrorism and national security are number one and two on the list of Republican's priorities, they are number five and seven to Democrats. Maybe the biggest disconnect between Democrats and Republicans on foreign policy is on relations with other countries where Dems place it at number two, Republicans place it at number 12.
On the domestic front, health care, the nation's long-term debt, and the economy and jobs were the Dems top three priorities, while faith and values, immigration, and abortion were the top three Republican priorities.
The only point of agreement appears to be tax policy as a priority (Dems placed it 12th and Reps, 9th)--although it is highly unlikely that Donkeys and Elephants agree about the means, I'm sure everyone would prefer lower taxes.
For those of us who feel that global climate change is real, neither party's caucusgoers share our concern--Dems place it no higher than 11th and it is dead last among Republicans.
If statistics are to be believed, it would appear that the country is more ready for a black, male president (Barack Obama has a 74% favorable rating with 15% of Republicans saying they would support him), before a female president of any color. Although 50 percent of Republicans would like to see Condoleeza Rice run and Hillary Clinton is seen as favorable by 66% of caucusgoers.
Ah, but the caucus season is young and the passions for candidates and issues will likely ebb and flow as January 2008 creeps toward us.
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