Voters Like Dems on the Economy, But Back GOP

You know it's a tough political environment when the economy and jobs are the top issues for voters, Americans trust the Democrats more on these issues -- but the Republicans lead in head-to-head polling. But that's exactly the case in the latest polling from CBS News and The New York Times.

In the latest survey, 32 percent of respondents indicate that the economy is their top issue, with 28 percent naming jobs. No other single issue receives more than 4 percent. And on these issues, voters continue to side with the Democrats:

48. Regardless of how you usually vote, who do you think has better ideas for solving the nation’s problems right now, the Republican party, or the Democratic party?

Democratic: 40 percent
Republican: 33 percent

50. Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the Democratic party is more likely to create new jobs?

Democratic: 44 percent
Republican: 38 percent

52. Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the Democratic party will do more to help the middle class?

Democratic: 55 percent
Republican: 33 percent

53. Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the Democratic party is more likely to help small businesses?

Democratic: 49 percent
Republican: 41 percent

The only quasi-economic issue on which the Republicans have an advantage is the deficit (viewed as the most important issue by 3 percent of respondents), with a 42 percent to 34 percent edge. But otherwise, when it comes to the economy, Americans continue to side with the Democrats. Yet Democrats trail (albeit by a statistically insignificant margin) on the generic congressional ballot question, 40 percent to 38 percent. Rough.