pocketbook issue
bread-and-butter issue

The American voters might select their political leaders for pocketbook issues, but history was made of more important stuff.

For the voting public, the level of the Dow has become a pocketbook issue.

But the pocketbook issue in this campaign is auto insurance.

Health care is a pocketbook issue, they say, because people can be impoverished by medical bills.

And pocketbook issues seemed to inspire his supporters at today's rallies.

I think it will be a pocketbook issue that overcomes the emotional issues.

"This is still a race about pocketbook issues, and it's where Bush's strengths really lie."

But it is unclear how much pocketbook issues will influence the vote.

"Right now, with this economy, there's no question in my mind those are pocketbook issues."

They said they intended to focus on pocketbook issues like health care costs rather than the overall state of the economy.