Seventy-five percent (75%) of American adults consider the economy a Very Important issue facing the country at this time. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 64% say the same about the War in Iraq; 55% consider the immigration issue Very Important; and, 44% put Global Warming in that same category.

When asked which of those four issues is most important, however, Iraq is number one (42%). Twenty-six percent (26%) name the economy as most important. Eighteen percent (18%) say the economy is the top issue while 11% say the same about Global Warming.

This survey, conducted immediately following the Live Earth concert, found little change from a similar survey conducted on the eve of that concert. Before Live Earth, 12% considered Global Warming the top issue of the four. That number slipped a point following the Live Earth event. A separate survey conducted before the event found that just 22% of Americans were following news stories of the upcoming concert. Following the event, awareness had increased a bit, but only 34% of Americans believe it is possible to stop Global Warming.

More than 70% of Republicans, Democrats, and those not affiliated with either major party all say the economy is a Very Important issue. However, that’s where the partisan agreement about priorities comes to an end.

For Democrats, 79% name the economy as Very Important followed closely by Iraq at 75%.

Among Republicans, 74% say the economy is Very Important and immigration ranks second at 67%. Republicans place Iraq as the third most important issue of the group. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of the GOP faithful consider Iraq a Very Important issue. Among the GOP, Global Warming is a distant fourth with only 28% considering it Very Important.

Democrats are much more interested in Global Warming and somewhat less concerned about the immigration issue. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Democrats consider Global Warming Very Important while 46% say the immigration issue is Very Important.

Among those not affiliated with either major party, 71% consider the economy Very Important. The Rasmussen Reports survey found that 59% say the same about Iraq. Fifty-three percent (53%) of unaffiliateds consider immigration Very Important and 46% attach the same importance to Global Warming.

On these four issues, Democrats are currently trusted more than Republicans among all voters. However, on the immigration issue, unaffiliated voters have more confidence in the GOP. When it comes to Iraq, most voters want U.S. combat troops out of that nation by early 2008. Most also want the Democrats in Congress to be more aggressive in changing the President’s policy in Iraq.

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