Bush Leads Edwards in Home State of N.C.
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WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) is maintaining his double-digit lead over Sen. John Edwards (news, bio, voting record) in a presidential matchup in Edwards' home state of North Carolina, while Democratic rival John Kerry is gaining on Edwards.
Bush had the support of 58 percent in the Research 2000 poll conducted for The News & Observer of Raleigh, and Edwards was at 39 percent. In March, Bush led 55 percent to 41 percent, and in February, a similar survey showed the president up 58 percent to 39 percent.
Edwards led the crowded Democratic field with 43 percent, followed by Sen. John Kerry (news, bio, voting record) of Massachusetts at 23 percent. Kerry has moved up from 9 percent among Democrats in January, while Edwards has dropped from 51 percent.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (news - web sites) of Connecticut was at 9 percent, Rep. Dick Gephardt (news - web sites) of Missouri and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean were at 7 percent and Al Sharpton was at 6 percent. Others did not get enough support to register 1 percent in the polls.
Edwards had a 47 percent favorable rating and a 37 percent unfavorable rating among all voters, while Bush had a 64 percent favorable rating and a 26 percent unfavorable rating.
Edwards did lead Republican Rep. Richard Burr (news, bio, voting record) in a potential race for the Senate, 49 percent to 35 percent, which is about the same lead he had in February. Edwards hasn't indicated whether he plans to continue his presidential bid or run for re-election.
The poll of 600 likely voters and the Democratic sample of 500 voters was taken Monday through Thursday and has an error margin of plus or minus 4 percentage points. |
