The American public is more deeply concerned about the economy than they have ever been about the war.
The high cost of gas and related increases in food and consumables have had a direct impact on daily life. Voters’ displeasure with the war was often without personal connection; that is not the case here as families struggle to make ends meet in a floundering economy.
There are a number of elements that have contributed to a cooling domestic economic condition; however, the cost of gasoline is something that is highly visible. This has caused a fixation by American voters who want both immediate and long-term solutions from the Presidential candidates. This “fixation” has defined the parameters of the contest for President as the Energy Election, a theme that is unlikely to change even as gas prices begin to fall.
The American public has indicated that they think John McCain is better equipped to deal with the War in Iraq; however the war itself has been an albatross around the neck of Republicans at every elected level. The wholesale change in focus by American voters from the war to the economy and energy has leveled the playing field between McCain and Obama, both of whom were ready for a campaign focusing primarily on the war, but find themselves facing a long debate about energy.
