VotersAmerican voters want to hear President Barack Obama talk about the US economy and the federal deficit in his upcoming State of the Union speech Tuesday. More than half of Americans are still convinced the nation is in a recession.

Healthcare and gun policy are also top concerns that US voters want the president to address in his annual speech to the nation. This was according to the results of the poll made by Quinnipiac University. President Obama started his second term last month after winning re-election in November. He is expected to use his State of the Union speech to offer his plan for improving the economy. These include proposals for investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, education and clean energy.

The poll showed that 35 percent of US voters said the economy was a top concern while 20 percent pointed to the federal deficit. It showed 53 percent said US economy is still in a recession even if economists said that it has ended in July 2009.

15 percent said the nation’s gun policies were a top concern and 12 percent said they were concerned about healthcare. The poll conducted by Quinnipiac as composed of 1,772 registered voters with a margin of error of 2.3 percentage points.

President Obama’s speech will come in time when US lawmakers tackle the nation’s $16 trillion debt and the upcoming government spending cuts that would take effect on March 1. Voters trust President Obama more than congressional Republicans on the economy and other major issues.

The survey showed 47 percent supported President Obama to handle the economy compared to 41 percent who said that they trusted congressional Republicans. 48 percent said they had more trust in Republicans to cut federal spending compared to 39 percent who supported Obama.

Those who were part of the survey were split over whether President Obama or Republicans can handle immigration issues. Two-thirds of the respondents said they were going to watch the speech.