Americans most concerned about unemployment, inflation

When broken down by political party, 62 percent of Republicans are very concerned with independents second at 58 percent and Democrats third at 44 percent. 

When asked about economic conditions, 68 percent say unemployment is their biggest concern with inflation, a rise in interest rates (45 percent) and a falling stock market (35 percent) as the remaining worries for consumers. 

Economists and White House advisers, including Larry Summers, director of the National Economic Council, have said unemployment is likely to stay at high levels for the foreseeable future. The 9.7 percent jobless rate is expected to hold in place when job numbers are announced Friday.