Poll: GOP better on terrorism, Dems better on economy

Americans still believe Republicans are more equipped to protect the United States from terrorist attacks and threats, a new poll finds.

According to the latest Gallup survey, 49 percent of voters perceive the GOP as better able to manage domestic security, while only 42 percent say the same of Democrats. The numbers are unchanged from September 2008, and they mark the sixth time in seven years that Republicans have polled strongest in this area.

But it is not all bad news for the Democrats: Voters believe their party is more likely than Republicans to keep the country prosperous.

About half of the survey's respondents favored the Democrats on economic issues, compared to just 31 percent for Republicans. This year is the fourth straight that Democrats have held a double-digit lead over their GOP counterparts.

Put differently: Voters' perceptions of both parties on their key issues have not changed substantially in the past year.