Latest Gallup Poll:
Kerry has edge on economy, Bush viewed as better leader
by Jeffrey M. Jones
GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- The latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows Massachusetts senator and potential Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry leading President George W. Bush by a 53% to 46% margin in a trial-heat matchup among likely voters. The poll also probed deeper into Americans' views of Kerry and Bush, and finds both candidates have relative strengths and weaknesses. Americans are slightly more likely to see Kerry's political views, rather Bush's views, as acceptable. Neither candidate has a decided advantage on war issues, but Kerry appears to have an edge on the economy. In terms of personality characteristics, Americans tend to think of Kerry as a champion of the average American, while they view Bush as the stronger leader.
The poll, conducted Jan. 29-Feb. 1 and prior to Tuesday's Democratic primaries and caucuses in seven states, shows Kerry as the strongest Democratic challenger to Bush at this point in the campaign. Kerry's relative standing to Bush has changed dramatically in recent weeks. A Jan. 9-11 CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll showed Bush with a 12-point lead over Kerry among likely voters, for a net shift of 19 points.
Kerry currently has a higher favorable rating than Bush does -- 61% of Americans view Kerry favorably, while just 52% view Bush positively. Kerry's favorable rating surged following his wins in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, from 31% to 61%, and is the most positive among the Democratic presidential candidates.
Policy Views
When asked to describe the overall political views of Kerry and Bush, 46% of Americans say Kerry's views are "about right," 29% say they are too liberal, and 8% say they are too conservative. A smaller percentage, 36%, says Bush's political views are about right. The plurality of Americans say Bush is too conservative (39%), while about one in five (18%) say his views are too liberal.
URL:http://www.gallup.com/content/default.asp?ci=10498 |
