Iraq, the Youth Vote, Women and Iowa------

http://www.juancole.com/
Friday, January 04, 2008

Iraq, the Youth Vote, Women and Iowa

The conventional wisdom among the inside the beltway pundits is that Iraq is no longer a leading issue for American voters.

This conventional wisdom is demonstrably untrue…………….

In part it derives from conceptual confusion. In some polls, Iraq is no longer the single issue for voters that outweighs all others in importance. But it is still one of three major issues that come at the top of voter concern, sometimes tied with health care or education or the economy. That it is tied with health care does not mean it isn't important to voters. It means it is just as important to them as the health of themselves and their loved ones, which is to say, it is very important.

………….Further, Iraq is more important for some voters than for others.

New Hampshire women voters, for instance, are very concerned about Iraq:


'On some issues, there is a notable distinction between New Hampshire women and women in the rest of the country. Iraq and health care are hotter issues in New Hampshire and education and the economy are somewhat lower priorities. ' ………….