Iowa Poll shows top issues are US debt, jobs

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new poll suggests that Iowa Republicans are most concerned about the U.S. debt and jobs in the run-up to the Jan. 3 caucuses.

The Des Moines Register’s Iowa Poll says 48 percent of those surveyed felt the national debt and government spending was among the top one or two issues for the next president to address. Some 47 percent felt jobs and the economy were among the top issues.

The poll found women tended to rank jobs higher debt, with the issues ranked opposite for more men.

Four years ago, Iowa Poll respondents said national security and terrorism were the top campaign issues.

The poll of 400 likely Republican caucus-goers was conducted Oct. 23-26 by Selzer and Company.