• February 6, 2008

The economy rated as the top issue in the 2008 election, based on a poll of women gathered last week at the "How She Will Decide" forum hosted by AARP and iVillage.

In addition to the economy, other top issues identified by the approximately 200 audience members included the Iraq war, national/homeland security and health care. The findings matched an iVillage-sponsored Roper poll conducted in January, which found that over half of surveyed women cite "having enough money to live on" as their biggest concern when considering their financial security later in life.

The AARP-iVillage survey also indicated that 62% of women believe they will play a larger role than in years past in deciding the 2008 presidential election. Even so, 28% said they have no idea whom they will support.

--Mark Walsh