If one becomes a slave to daily polls, day to day ups & downs, one becomes likely to not "see the forest for the trees."
One very interesting thing is that only 17% say that if the US had NOT led the coalition in removing Saddam from power that we would be safer. The democrats should have some bounce - though expectations are being lowered - after their convention. The republicans will have some bounce after theirs, then it'll be the run to the finish. I think the debates will be important in this election as the two sides begin the process of comparison & contrast. I suggest that we focus on the goal & make sure that we get the contrast between the two tickets out there. I believe that as long as the contrast is known, President Bush will prevail. President Bush will run on what he is & what he has done; Kerry will attempt to run away from what his record shows.
Polls can be useful in determining if you're "getting your message out." They only provide a snapshot of that particular day, however, and do not show longterm forcasting.
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WASHINGTON - Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites) is putting the pressure on President Bush (news - web sites) on his strongest issue, national defense, but the incumbent retains an advantage there, an Associated Press poll found.
AP Photo
AP Photo
Slideshow: Elections
AP Poll: Race Still Tight, Kerry Improves Defense Position
(AP Video)
The Democratic National Convention in late July focused heavily on Kerry's war service and on national security, a strategy that appears to be paying dividends for the White House challenger.
Flanked by his Vietnam crewmates, Kerry delivered an acceptance speech last week laden with references to patriotism, his decorated military record and his qualifications for commander in chief "” a theme underscored by speaker after speaker over the four-day gathering.
In the AP survey conducted Tuesday through Thursday, 43 percent said Kerry would do a better job of protecting the country "” a gain of 8 percentage points from a similar survey in March.
Republican Bush still has the advantage on the issue, with 52 percent saying he would do better in protecting the nation. But Bush's percentage on the issue has dropped 6 percentage points since March, according to the poll conducted for the AP by Ipsos-Public Affairs, and the latest survey was taken as he faced questions about dated intelligence for increased terror alerts.
Kerry improved his standing on the issue with a demographic group that tends to lean Republican: men under age 45.
Edison Montgomery, a 59-year-old Democrat from Lancaster, Ohio, said that after watching the convention he has grown more comfortable with Kerry "” especially on whether he is capable of protecting the nation.
"He seems like he's got a good head on his shoulders," Montgomery said.
Despite the gains for the Democratic challenger, Bush and Kerry remained essentially tied in the presidential race "” a position they have been in for months.
In a three-way matchup, Kerry and running mate John Edwards (news - web sites) have the backing of 48 percent, Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) 45 percent and independent Ralph Nader (news - web sites) and running mate Peter Camejo (news - web sites) 3 percent among registered voters.
The poll of 798 registered voters had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
In July, Bush had a slight lead over Kerry "” 49 percent to 45 percent "” with 3 percent backing Nader.
Although Bush's ratings have dipped in other areas, including his stewardship of the war in Iraq (news - web sites) and his handling of the economy, 51 percent still approve of his handling of the war on terrorism to 48 percent who disapprove in the AP poll.
"I don't think Kerry's ready to be president," said Laura Weber, a 37-year-old Republican from Pierre, S.D. "Bush would be more decisive."
The economy has been improving in fits and starts but continues to be a troublesome issue for Bush. Fewer than half polled "” 46 percent "” said they approve of the Republican's handling of the economy, about the same percentage as in July.
Kerry held a clear advantage over Bush on the question of who would do better at creating jobs, with 55 percent naming Kerry and 39 percent saying the president "” a number essentially unchanged from March.
The job numbers released Friday are likely to reinforce that perception.
New figures on job growth in July were far below analysts' predictions, with only 32,000 jobs being added "” a potentially troubling sign that the rough patch the economy hit in June was not an isolated problem despite 11 consecutive months of jobs growth. Analysts had expected the economy to add anywhere from 215,000 to 247,000 jobs in July.
All together, 1.1 million jobs have been lost since Bush took office in January 2001.
"We have a long way to go on jobs," said Cara Easterly, a 37-year-old Democrat from the Seattle area. "I don't think Bush is focused on the problem. He's more focused on what's going on outside the country."
Strong support for Bush and Kerry now is about even, with 32 percent saying they are backers of the Republican and 31 percent saying their candidate
"I don't think Bush is focused on the problem. He's more focused on what's going on outside the country."
No kidding? Yes something kerry would ignore or leave to the un.
Yesterday a group of muslims in a city in America where trying to buy surface to air missles& where arrested. Is that in this country? And as a democrat economics expert Cara easterly what do you think would happen when they start shooting planes from the sky here ? speaking eEconomics wise? Or the high cost of our fuel that runs this country& has been high- any effect on the jobs etc? What about 9/11 itself?Of course you couldnt look past the obvious reasons for economic down turns, = except its so easy for you its all le bushs fault right lol[&:].
"I don't think Kerry's ready to be president," said Laura Weber, a 37-year-old Republican from Pierre, S.D. "Bush would be more decisive."
Kerry will never be...ready. Except with a toothy beaver smile pasted on&a hand on your wallet while posing for pr movies. He worrys about his hair to much& if his kaki dockers goes with his newist deck shoes& neck scarf.
Bush is more decisive on what matters - he has already showen this.
All together, 1.1 million jobs have been lost since Bush took office in January 2001.
And almost 2,500,000 created,
Lets tell the whole story gobbler, you libbies better keep other issue going instead of the economy and employment if you want to defeat Bush.
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