Missouri exit poll: Voters split on abortion

Voters' views of Tuesday's elections, according to a preliminary exit poll conducted in Missouri for The Associated Press:

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VOTERS SPLIT ON ABORTION

Republican Todd Akin's remark that women's bodies have a way of preventing pregnancy after "legitimate rape" put a spotlight on abortion in Missouri, and turnout among pro-choice voters and abortion opponents appeared neck-in-neck. Those most unequivocal on the issue - that it should be legal in all instances, or prohibited no matter the circumstance - were the smallest in number.

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ECONOMY BIGGEST ISSUE FACING COUNTRY

Beyond Missouri politics, the economy was weighing most on the minds of voters by far. Health care and the deficit was a distant second when it came to the most pressing issues facing the country. Unemployment in Missouri is just under 7 percent and below the national average. Few gave the economy good or even adequate marks: most said it was sputtering, if! not altogether in poor shape.

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VALUES, VISION MOST IMPORTANT TO VOTERS

Whether President Barack Obama or Republican Mitt Romney are strong leaders or cared about people like themselves mattered least to voters when making their presidential pick. Their choice instead gravitated toward which candidate shared their values and which had the best vision for the future.

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TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT

Most Missourians appear to want government to butt out of issues and solutions best left to individuals and business. About four in 10 felt the government should be more involved in solving problems.

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STANDING BY THEIR CANDIDATE

Voting against the other guy isn't what drove most Missourians to the polls. Whether casting their ballot for president or U.S. Senate, voters who had favorable feelings toward their candidate far outnumbered those whose ballot amounted to a message to the other side.

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The preliminary exit ! poll of 1,379 voters was conducted for AP and the television networks by Edison Research in a random sample of 35 precincts statewide. Results were subject to sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points; it is higher for subgroups.

Online: http://surveys.ap.org/exitpolls