For the first time in five-and-a-half years, half of all likely voters now trust Republicans more than Democrats on the economy, the number one issue in the upcoming fall election, according to a new Rasmussen Reports poll.
What’s more, Rasmussen said Thursday, the GOP is trusted more than Democrats on six of 10 major issues: economy, national security, the war in Afghanistan, immigration, taxes and health care.
The Democrats are trusted more only on the issues of Social Security and education. The parties tie on government ethics and energy policy.
The results come as more and more polls show growing support for Mitt Romney on key issues and from key voting blocks such as women. The survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted over the past two weeks.
On the big issue of the economy, Republicans are trusted 50 percent to 39 percent. On that issue, Republicans are also more trusted more among whites, men, and in all age groups.
Rasmussen said said his findings mark “a continuing upward trend of confidence in Republicans since the first of the year. Voters have trusted Republicans more on [the economy] since early June 2009, but this is the first time the GOP has reached the 50% mark. By comparison, Democrats held a 51% to 42% advantage on this issue just before Election Day in 2008.”
