Economy worries voters the most; split on gas prices over the environment

Concerns about the economy are the top issues with likely Maryland voters in the upcoming presidential election, a new Rasmussen Reports poll shows.

The survey finds that issues like jobs and economic growth are the highest concerns for 39 percent of those polled, followed by national security at 26 percent.

12 percent consider Social Security and health care their top priorities, while 10 percent listed taxes and government spending and 7 percent most worried about same-sex marriage and abortion.

Interestingly, voters are split down the middle on whether protecting the environment or reducing gas prices is more important. 46 percent sided with each position, while 9 percent were unsure.

The poll also finds that Maryland voters feel Afghanistan is a greater threat to to American security than Iraq, 46 percent to 30 percent. 24 percent are not sure.

They also believe Afghanistan outranks Iraq as "the central front in the War on Terror." A 55 percent majority says "no" to Iraq, with 27 percent believe it is and 19 percent not sure. 44 percent rated Afghanistan as the "central front," 32 percent disagreed and 24 percent unsure.

The poll of 500 likely voters was conducted on Monday, Aug. 18, and has a +/- 4.5 percent margin of error and a 95 percent confidence interval.