Twenty-eight percent (28%) of Americans named the economy as the most important issue in terms of how they will cast their Presidential vote in Election 2008. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 18% named the War Against Terrorism as the top issue while 13% picked the War in Iraq. Republicans are far more likely to name the terror war while Democrats are far more likely to say Iraq. Combining the two means that 31% see the war as a top issue for this next election.

Thirteen percent (13%) picked Health Care as the top issue; 6% named immigration; and 4% the environment. Eight percent (8%) said some other issue was tops for them while 9% are not sure.

Both men and women were most likely to pick the economy as top issue, but the terror war ranked second for men while health care was number two for women.

A separate survey found that Democrats have their biggest advantage on health care issues while the parties are pretty evenly divided on the national security issue. Other issues fall between those extremes. Democrats also have a significant advantage on the Generic Congressional Ballot at this time.

A survey conducted on Election Night 2004 and offering slightly different choices found 41% naming a national security issue as most important while 26% named the economy as most important.

Among Democrats, the top three issues are the economy (24%), health care (22%), and Iraq (21%).

For Republicans, the terror war (33%) is tops with the economy number two at 28%. Immigration and the War in Iraq are each named the top issue by 8% of Republicans.

Concern about the economy is higher among those under 50. Concern about the terror war and Iraq are highest among those over 65.

The survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations, Inc.

Asking voters to select the top issue from a list is one way to measure voter priorities and concerns. Rasmussen Reports also tracks a series of ten key issues on a regular basis asking voters to rate both the importance of the issue and which party they trust the most on that issue. By that measure, government ethics and corruption is the top issue for voters. While Democrats do have an edge on the issue, a majority of unaffiliated voters don’t trust either major party on it.

See survey questions and top-line results. Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.