Almost half of Iowa caucus goers believe jobs and the economy is the most important topic in deciding who to support in the GOP presidential race.  46% of respondents in a poll commissioned by TheIowaRepubican.com ranked that their number one issue.  Cutting spending finished second at 31%.

The poll provides evidence that, despite the Iowa Caucus’ reputation of being dominated by evangelicals, most likely caucus goers believe fiscal issues are far more important than social ones in choosing the GOP nominee for President.  Abortion and gay marriage finished as the 7^th and 8^th most important topics.

Additionally, TIR’s poll asked 500 likely caucus goers who they would prefer between a candidate who pays more attention to values issues like abortion and gay marriage or a candidate who pays more attention to cutting spending and creating jobs.  Overwhelmingly, they want a nominee who focuses on cutting spending and creating jobs, 75-17%.

Several candidates are promising to repeal ObamaCare, and that topic remains on the minds of a lot of Iowans.  18% of those who took the poll ranked health care as their number one issue.

Although few candidates are talking about border security and immigration, this poll shows that they probably should.  That issue ranks fourth in the poll, with 15 percent of respondents saying it is their most important issue in determining who they will vote for.  Illegal immigration was much more widely discussed during the 2008 Iowa Caucus campaign.

The survey also shows that Jon Huntsman’s excuse for skipping Iowa holds no merit.  Huntsman said he would not waste time trying to court Iowans who see ethanol subsidies as a way of life.  Only 2% of those polled consider ethanol to be their number one issue.  No other topic ranked lower.

Other results from the poll show that 47% of Iowa caucus goers consider themselves “very conservative”.   30% say they are “somewhat conservative” and 20% say they are “moderate”.

When asked specifically about values issues, like abortion and gay marriage, the percentage of “very conservative” rises to 58%.  “Somewhat conservative” falls to 19% and the total number of social moderates equals 12%.

60% of Iowa caucus goers say they are “very conservative” on fiscal issues.  30% are “somewhat conservative” and 8% say they are moderates.