(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Two topics continue to dominate public opinion in the United States, according to a poll by CBS News. 19 per cent of respondents say the war in Iraq is the most important problem facing their country, while 14 per cent mention the economy and jobs.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,825 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 13,700 troops have been injured.

On Aug. 3 in Texas, Bush discussed the current state of events in Iraq, saying, "Iraq is the latest battlefield in the war on terror. Foreign fighters are going into Iraq to fight coalition troops for a reason: They understand the stakes. A free Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will deal a serious blow to their hateful ideology."

Bush also expressed satisfaction with job creation, saying, "Employment is up in 48 of the 50 states; unemployment is down to 5 per cent. That's below the average rate of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong. More people own a home today than ever before in our nation's history."

Terrorism is next in the list of concerns with 12 per cent, followed by moral and family values, health care, the oil and gas crisis, education, defence and military issues, and poverty and homelessness.

Polling Data

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