WASHINGTON – President Bush and Sen. John Kerry are locked in a tie for the popular vote, according to an Associated Press poll, while a chunk of voters vacillate between their desire for change and their doubts about the alternative.
Bush’s strength continues to be a perception by many voters that he is better qualified to protect the country, though his advantage on that has dwindled in recent weeks. A majority consider Kerry indecisive, less solid on national security.
Kerry’s strengths are Bush’s weaknesses – most voters believe the country is on the wrong track and disapprove of the incumbent’s handling of the economy, domestic affairs and Iraq.
The result is deadlock. In the survey of 976 likely voters, Democrats Kerry and Sen. John Edwards had 49 percent, compared to 46 percent for Republicans Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. That’s within the margin of error for the poll conducted Oct. 18-20.
There has been little or no change since the first debate, when an uneven performance cost Bush the lead over Kerry. The poll illuminates how both sides hope to break the logjam – Kerry by appealing to voters’ desire for a new direction and Bush by fanning their fears about the risks of change.
The target: about 17 percent of likely voters who say they’re undecided or are tentatively backing a candidate while remaining open to changing their minds.
Likely voters are just as likely to back Democrats for Congress as Republicans, with a 47-46 split favoring Democrats. That is essentially a tie.
State polls released Thursday found Bush ahead in Iowa and closer than expected in two other Democratic-leaning states – Michigan and Oregon. The president is fighting for his political life in two electoral-rich states he won in 2000 – Florida and Ohio.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
