Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Terrorism, Health Care Top U.S. Issue List

January 23, 2004

(CPOD) Jan. 23, 2004 - Protecting the country from attacks is the top priority for Americans, according to a poll by Ipsos-Public Affairs released by the Associated Press. 21 per cent of respondents say terrorism is the most pressing problem in the United States.

Rising health care costs is second on the list with 21 per cent, followed by concerns over the economy and unemployment.

In the Jan. 20 state of the union address, president George W. Bush argued that the country needed to keep its current course in the war on terror, so as not to leave "our work unfinished." Last month, Bush signed a $400-billion Medicare expansion, which creates a prescription drug benefit for the first time.

American voters will elect a president and renew both chambers of congress on Nov. 2.

Polling Data

What are the most pressing problems in the United States right now?
(All mentions)

Terrorism

21%

Health care costs

19%

Economy

18%

Unemployment

14%

Education

6%

Iraq

5%

Immigration

5%

Poverty, hunger, homelessness

5%

Source: Ipsos-Public Affairs / Associated Press
Methodology: Interviews to 1,000 American adults, conducted from Jan. 5 to Jan. 7, 2004. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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