Gallup routinely asks an open-ended question about what’s the most important problem facing the country today. In August, 35 percent said something about COVID/disease. 12 percent economy. 10 percent race relations. Only 4 percent crime. https://news.gallup.com/poll/1675/most-important-problem.aspx

I am just very confused by the frequent assertions I’m seeing from conservative pundits that this is, or will be, an election about municipal riots. What is in the data that says that?

On a separate note, it’s remarkable how few people say the most important problem in the country right now is economic, and I think helps explain why the president’s numbers aren’t even worse amid this crisis.

Though I guess 22 percent give responses about the worst problem in the country that get coded as “the government/poor leadership.” Presumably that includes such answers as “Trump,” “Trump is a shithead,” etc.