U.S. voters give GOP edge on top issues in lead up to elections: Gallup

U.S. voters favor the GOP over Democrats on four out of six issues most important to voters in the run up to next month's Congressional elections, a Gallup poll released Monday found.

Republicans score higher on the economy; the way the federal government is working; the situation with Islamist terrorists in Iraq and Syria; and the federal budget deficit. Democrats beat Republicans only on equal pay for women, the poll found.

The trend bodes ill for Democratic candidates, many of whom are distancing themselves from the White House amid President Barack Obama's loss of popularity on a number of fronts, and many experts and elections forecasters predict Democrats will lose the Senate and render the president a lame duck.

As Republicans try to regain control of the Senate, the current GOP advantage on the economy matches the 12-point advantage the party held just before the last midterm elections, in which the party gained control of the House of Representatives.

The party's lead on the federal budget deficit has also widened to 20 points from 14 points in April, and now stands at a high not seen any other time during Obama's presidency, according to Gallup.

Republicans are also in a better position than Democrats on several items not previously included in this poll, such as the way the federal government works. Republicans hold a solid eight-point advantage on how the federal government functions, Gallup found.

Voters also prefer the GOP by a 19-point lead regarding Islamic militants in Iraq and Syria. The GOP has historically held an edge over Democrats on terrorism and national security, and continues to lead in this arena, even as the Obama administration conducts airstrikes against Islamic militant targets in Iraq and Syria, the poll found

In terms of "the availability of good jobs," the two parties are essentially tied, with a one-point Republican lead.

Voters clearly favor Democrats only on securing equal pay for women among issues of above-average importance. Democrats have a 38-point advantage on that issue -- the largest lead either party holds on any issue, Gallup said.