From The Assembly Republican Caucus Office of Strategic Information Services:

This Office of Strategic Information Services report analyzes the results of the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll as well as a survey of voters in San Diego County's 50th Congressional District.

Eighty-two percent of the nation's voters think the country is on the wrong track, according to the ABC News/Washington Post, and CD 50 GOP Congressman Brian Bilbray leads a potential Democrat opponent 52% to 34%, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner.

Key Findings

Eighty-two percent of the public believes the country is on the wrong track; only 16% believe the country is on the right track, according to the latest figures from the ABC News/Washington Post poll.  The poll was conducted May 8 thru 11. Additional findings include:

George W. Bush's job approval rating is 31% approve to 66% disapprove.

The public trusts Democrats more than Republicans to solve the country's problems by a margin of 53% to 32%.  This percentage is virtually the same as it was just prior the 2006 mid-term elections (then it was 54% Democrat to 35% Republican).

In a general election match-up, Barack Obama leads John McCain 51% to 44%. When asked which of the candidates they trust more to handle...

                                    McCain    Obama
Health Care                    31%        55%
Gasoline Prices              28%        48%
Economy                       38%        48%
Ethics in Government      39%        46%
Immigration Issues          37%        42%
Iraq War                         45%        46%
War on Terror                  55%        34%

When it comes to rating the candidate's attributes, voters say...

                                                                        McCain    Obama
Who has better experience                                  71%        18%
Is the stronger leader                                          46%        42%
Would do more for change in Washington             29%        59%
Has better personality/temperament to be Pres.    32%        56%
Better understands problems of people like you     35%        54%
Has better knowledge of world affairs                    65%        24%
Has clearer vision of future                                   34%        54%
Has higher ethical standards                                41%        42%

The general election figures to be close because the public is evenly divided on what quality is more important in a President, that the President is strong & experienced or that the President brings new directions & new ideas.

Strong & Experienced            47%
New Directions & New Ideas   43%

The economy remains the top issue - 36% state it is their top concern with the Iraq War second at 21%.  All other issues are in single digits.    

Economy                             36%
Iraq War                              21%
Health care                          6%
Terrorism/National Security   4%
Ethics                                 3%
Education                            2%
Taxes                                  2%

GOP Congressman Brian Bilbray leads Democrat Nick Leibham 52% to 34%, in a potential general election match-up.

The poll was taken by the Democrat polling firm, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, in late April of 400 registered voters (the margin of error is +/- 5%).

The 50th Congressional District leans Republican; George W. Bush carried it 55% to 44% over John Kerry.

CD 50 General Election Match-ups

                                       All         Dem        GOP        Ind
B. Bilbray                        52%        na            85%        40%
N. Leibham                      34%        69%         na           42%
Undecided                       13%        na            na           na

                                       All         Dem        GOP        Ind
Generic Dem                   43%        87%         na           52%
Generic GOPer                39%        na            73%        23%
Undecided                       17%        na            na           na


Re-Elect Rep. Bilbray?

Definitely re-elec                15%
Probably re-elect                27%
Probably vote for another    18%
Definitely vote for another    21%
Undecided                         20%

                 Favorable       Unfavorable
B. Bilbray   34%                30%
G. Bush     26%                59%

White House '08 General Election Matchup

Generic Dem       47%
Generic GOPer    40%