WP: Poll Shows President Narrowly Trailing Kerry

[kskiska]

By Richard Morin and Dana Milbank
Tuesday, March 9, 2004; Page A01

President Bush, the target of months of criticism during the Democratic primary season, has seen public support fall to the lowest level of his presidency for his performance on the economy and the situation in Iraq, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll has found.

A majority of Americans -- 57 percent -- say they want their next president to steer the country away from the course set by Bush, according to the survey. Bush's standing hit new lows in crucial areas such as the economy (39 percent support him), Iraq (46 percent) and the budget deficit (30 percent).

Bush's overall support, 50 percent, was unchanged from February and equal to the lowest of his presidency; only the war on terrorism continues to garner him the support of more than six in 10 Americans.

As a result of these doubts, Bush narrowly trails likely Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kerry by 4 percentage points, 48 to 44 percent, among registered voters in a hypothetical presidential matchup. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, an independent, claims 3 percent. Of a dozen policy areas, Kerry leads Bush in eight, including the economy, education and health care, while Bush leads only in the war on terrorism. The two candidates are virtually tied in the other three: Iraq, same-sex marriage and civil liberties.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41184-2004Mar8.html

[David Dunham]

1. Notice that Bush is Called "President" in Headline, no "Senator" Kerry

[KissMyAsscroft]

2. Headline coddles Bush...

Total whoring.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. Not quite total whoring

The article contains this little gem:

A majority of Americans -- 57 percent -- say they want their next president to steer the country away from the course set by Bush, according to the survey.

But then, the next paragraph seems to contradict that by saying that bu$h's overall support is 50%. That implies that at least 7% want it both ways. Now how can someone on the one hand say they support bu$h, but on the other hand say they "want their next president to steer the country away from the course set by Bush"?

Personally, I think they just make up most of this dribble.

[flowomo]

3. Their own numbers disagree

If you go to the actual poll results, question by question, they have Nader at 5 percent, not 3. That's grim. But overall, the numbers look encouraging on the specifics. They gay marriage question is an eye-opener -- 53 percent disapprove of the way Bush has handled that issue.

[DarkPhenyx]

4. Until the serious campaigning begins...

...the polls mean bupkiss. Once the first round of attack and response ads go through from both sides I'm going to just have to wait and see.

[flowomo]

5. I agree entirely but.....

The word is "bupkes"

[DarkPhenyx]

6. or "buttkiss"

I've actually seen all three.