Will Democrats' Stimulus Plans Be The Clincher At Polls Today?; Economy Is Top Issue; But their top proposals, as well as GOP's ideas, may not fly with voters.(A)(ECONOMY IN PERSPECTIVE)

Byline: JOSEPH GUINTO

James Brent would rather not comment on the economics of recent economic plans offered by Democrats. Mostly because he's a political scientist at San Jose State University and not an economist.

Partly it's because he thinks the leading plan -- from House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo. -- is as much about politics as it is about economics.

"Obviously this is a political document," Brent said.

He has a point. Democrats, who have largely sided with President Bush on the war on terrorism and on action against Iraq, want the economy to be the deciding issue at the polls today.

A November poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press shows voters rank the economy as the most important issue, at 40%. Terrorism, including Iraq, came in at only 19%.

Pew's November poll shows Democrats leading 51% to 40% among those voters who say the economy is the top issue. The No. 2 concern of voters, social issues, also breaks for Democrats 49% to 40%. For people who put taxes as their top issue, it's 51% to 39% in favor of Republicans.