What did Americans think about trade at the start of December?

Trade is down somewhat on the list of issues Americans are concerned about, but to the extent it's an issue, they don't think free trade has been good for the economy, according to new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll results: A Surprise Showing For Huckabee: The Tortoise Is Closing In On The Hare .

This is a wide ranging poll evaluating with support for the different presidential candidates, and opinions about key issues.  The poll was conducted by telephone between November 30 and December 3. 

Question 35 asked, "Generally speaking, do you believe that free international trade has helped or hurt the economy, or hasn't it made a difference to the economy one way or the other? (IF HELPED OR HURT) Do you believe it (helped/hurt) the economy a lot, or just some, or not too much?"

Forty-four percent of the respondents said it hurt; 24% said it hurt a lot.  Twenty-seven percent said it helped; 8% said it helped a lot.  Twenty-nine perent didn't think it made a difference, or didn't know.  There was some difference by political party, but not much.  Republicans were somewhat less likely to be uncertain and more likely to think it helped.  There was some tendency for people who made more to be more likely to think it helped, and less likely to think it hurt.

While people thought trade had hurt the economy, the survey results suggest that trade wasn't their most important concern.  The registered voters among the survey respondents were asked what issues they considered most important.  They were allowed to pick two as most important, so percentages add to more than 100%.  Economic issues came in second in importance to the war in Iraq.  Trade would only be one element of economic issues. Two other issues that may be related, health care and immigration, came in not far behind the economy.

All respondents were asked what economic issues they felt were most important.  Thirty-six percent chose high energy costs, 12% chose the weakening dollar, 8% sub-prime mortgages, 7% the budget deficit.  The trade deficit was next, with 5%.  Eighteen percent said all listed issues equally.