"It is always about jobs and the economy," one Democrat told NJ. "If the administration does not soon comprehend that, their re-election will look like dead fish floating in the Gulf."

A Republican added that the economy is "followed by budget, second, and the oil spill as a distant third."

With 3%, the least number of Democrats said the budget deficit was the most important issue among their constituents. Also below the economy was the Gulf oil spill (18%), immigration (5%) and health reform (3%).

That stands in stark contrast to Republicans, 26% of whom said the budget was the top issue. That was followed by immigration and the oil spill (8% each), and health reform at 3%.

"My constituents are most concerned about the deficit," one Republican said. "They fired Republicans for a $167 billion deficit in 2006. What do you think they think about a $1.5 trillion deficit in 2010?"