Ehlers said he has been getting an earful from constituents, angered by gas prices, frightened by the latest layoff announcement, this one from the Grand Rapids-based office furniture giant Steelcase Inc., and frustrated by Congress's inattention. The negative reaction to Congress's intervention in the Schiavo case was particularly jarring, Ehlers said.
"Many are rather upset at the Terri Schiavo issue," he said, even "moderately pro-life" voters. "I'm getting a lot of the, 'Why are you spending time on that when we don't have jobs?' type of thing."
 
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In Michigan, jobs and the economy have vaulted to the No. 1 concern of 34 percent of voters, with the closest other issues, health care and education, at a distant 15 percent, said Ed Sarpolus, an independent Michigan pollster. "I haven't seen anything like that since the early '90s and crime," he said.
Michigan is not isolated. A Des Moines Register poll released Sunday found Bush's approval rating in Iowa down to 42 percent, the lowest of his presidency. Only 24 percent of Iowans approved of his handling of the federal budget, 26 percent approved of his efforts to change Social Security and 36 percent approved of his handling of the economy.
"There are serious pocketbook issues lurking in America," said Rep. Jim Leach (R- Iowa).
Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who conducted the NBC poll with McInturff, said gas prices and other economic indicators have directly contributed to pessimistic views about the state of the country, which have been generally negative in their survey for almost two years.
If gas prices stay high and the market remains sluggish, the economy could mushroom into a dominant issue in next year's midterm elections. "In terms of what they're looking for out of Washington and the president and Congress, [people] are expecting some policy that will address this issue [gas prices]," said GOP pollster David Winston. "It doesn't have to happen tomorrow, but they expect to see some progress being made."
Bush addressed rising gas prices in a speech yesterday, calling again for Congress to pass his long-stalled energy package. But in an interview with CNBC's Ron Insana earlier this week, he acknowledged he has no short-term fix for energy prices. "It took us a while to get to where we are today, and it's going to take us a while to become less dependent on foreign sources of energy," Bush said. "Even signing an energy bill, you don't have an instant fix."
Democrats have been slow to seize on the economy, focusing on Social Security plan, attacking House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) and a Senate showdown over filibustering judicial nominations. But they weighed in yesterday, charging that the Energy Department had estimated last year that the GOP energy bill would raise gas prices by an average of 3 cents a gallon.
Democratic strategist Geoffrey Garin said Democrats should be working harder to make the case that Republicans are ignoring pocketbook issues while they pursue changes in the judiciary or try to protect DeLay. "The developing story line is about an arrogant Republican majority that's lost touch with what's important," he said. "For Democrats to convey that point, they have to invest a lot of time and energy."
Winston said the economy -- particularly gas prices and their impact on income -- represents a thorny problem for the GOP, but one with significant dividends if the party rises to the challenge. "It's a unique opportunity for Republicans if we can solve it," he said, "and it can be difficult for Republicans if we can't."
