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Economic Gloom Makes New Election Issue
Dec 12, 1:45 PM (ET)
By DAVID ESPO
WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans have turned markedly gloomier about the economy in recent months, a shift that is reshaping a presidential campaign long dominated by the war in Iraq and national security concerns.
Higher prices for gasoline and home heating oil, stock market volatility and rising mortgage foreclosures all account for some of the pessimism, in the view of political pollsters. Significantly, they also cite the recent drop in real estate prices as a major worry for millions who have long viewed their homes as a source of retirement income.
"People feel less secure these days," and their concerns turn to issues such as education, health care and retirement security as well as the economy, said Sara Taylor, a former White House political director not aligned with any of the Republican presidential hopefuls.
"What you're going to do is see candidates focus more intensely on those issues because the voters are going to demand it," she predicted. She acknowledged that voters tend to favor Democrats over Republicans in those areas.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071212/D8TG2POO1.html
Dec 12, 1:45 PM (ET)
By DAVID ESPO
WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans have turned markedly gloomier about the economy in recent months, a shift that is reshaping a presidential campaign long dominated by the war in Iraq and national security concerns.
Higher prices for gasoline and home heating oil, stock market volatility and rising mortgage foreclosures all account for some of the pessimism, in the view of political pollsters. Significantly, they also cite the recent drop in real estate prices as a major worry for millions who have long viewed their homes as a source of retirement income.
"People feel less secure these days," and their concerns turn to issues such as education, health care and retirement security as well as the economy, said Sara Taylor, a former White House political director not aligned with any of the Republican presidential hopefuls.
"What you're going to do is see candidates focus more intensely on those issues because the voters are going to demand it," she predicted. She acknowledged that voters tend to favor Democrats over Republicans in those areas.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071212/D8TG2POO1.html
