Georgians remain very concerned about the state’s economy, even in light of positive economic news. According to a recent Peach State Poll, about one in four Georgians (26 percent) believe that the economy is the most important problem facing the nation today, and only 30 percent of the public rate economic conditions in Georgia as either excellent (2 percent) or good (28 percent). The economy has been cited as the most important problem facing the state for the past three quarters.
The Peach State Poll-a statewide quarterly survey of public opinion conducted by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government- also finds that an individual’s political party identification is an excellent indicator of his or her assessment of the economic condition of the state. The contrast in rating the state’s economy as excellent or good is significant between Republicans and Democrats (51 percent to 17 percent), with only a small part of this difference attributable to race. This vast difference in perception between the parties in Georgia is consistent with the partisan divisions seen on the national level.
The economy is still seen as a more important problem for the nation than is terrorism.
Only 14 percent of respondents cite terrorism, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, or national security in general as the most important problem facing the United States today.
