While the party ranks highly in several positive categories, Iowa Republicans are viewed in a very negative light by a large segment of the public, according to the results of a poll released last week conducted for a state GOP group.

When given a list of traits and asked which party fits the description best, Iowa Republicans ranked highest in “Understand how to strengthen the economy,” “Can control and manage government bureaucracies and unions,” and “Use common sense to run government more efficiently and effectively.”

However, the GOP also ranked highest in “Arrogant” and “Backwards-looking.”

Democrats ranked highest in “The Party of the Future,” “Fair to everyone,” “Champion of the needs of homeowners, small businesses and taxpayers,” “Reformers,” and “Will fight for the most vulnerable in our society.”

The poll, paid for by Iowa First Foundation, a group organized by former GOP gubernatorial nominee Doug Gross, was designed to give the party a better idea of where it should focus for the 2010 state elections. It included a statewide sample of 603 likely voters, including a relatively even split between Republicans (36 percent), Democrats (39 percent) and independents (25 percent).

Ninety-five percent of respondents were white, 71 percent were 45 or older, 44 percent attend church at least four times a month and 69 percent had at least some college education.

Among the polls finding include:

If the election for governor were held today, 37 percent would support a Democrat and 33 percent would support a Republican. Fifty-two percent of respondents approve of the job Gov. Chet Culver is doing, with 35 percent disapproving. But only 38 percent said he deserves re-election, with 46 percent saying, “Give new person a chance” and 14 percent saying it depends on who runs against him in 2010.

Half of the respondents said Iowa is on the wrong track, with 37 percent saying the state is headed in the right direction.

Nearly half, or 47 percent, said the economy was the most important state or local issue, with 3 percent saying “cultural issues,” like same-sex marriage and abortion. In fact, cultural issues ranked below taxes, health care, the state budget and education.

The survey also gave respondents descriptions of potential gubernatorial candidates and asked them to rank how appealing each sounded. The highest approval numbers, nearly 90 percent, went to “A widely-respected former statewide elected official who has managed Iowa through troubled times before.” Presumably, the description is referring to former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, was also mentioned in another question asking respondents if they would like a gubernatorial candidate who was “a lot like Terry Branstad, somewhat like Terry Branstad, somewhat different than Terry Branstad or very different than Terry Branstad.”

Branstad, who served four terms as Iowa governor and currently is president of Des Moines University, has made no public indications that he is interested in running again for any office. Gross, one of the sponsors of the poll, served as Branstad’s chief of staff.