Newsweek Poll: Kerry surges to the head of the pack, beating even Bush. ( Lib RAG Alert)

newsweek via msnbc.msn.com ^ | 01/24/04 | Brian Braiker

[KQQL]

Bush’s own standing has slipped among registered voters. "Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better," he declared Tuesday. But more people now say they are dissatisfied (52 percent) than satisfied (43 percent) with the way things are going in the United States, down from a post-9/11 peak last April of 50 percent satisfied. And even thought Bush used the State of the Union to emphasize his controversial tax cuts, Medicare overhaul, opposition to gay marriage and a burgeoning economic rebound, Bush saw his job performance ratings dip to 50 percent approval (versus 44 percent who disapprove)—his most negative ratings to date—suggesting a nation sharply divided over the president and his policies. To be sure, Bush is just as solidly backed by Republicans (85 percent) as he is opposed by Democrats (86 percent).

Overall, 52 percent of those polled by NEWSWEEK say they would not like to see Bush serve a second term, compared to 44 percent who want to see him win again in November.

As a result, Kerry is enjoying a marginal advantage over Bush, a first for the poll. Forty-nine percent of registered voters chose Kerry, compared to 46 percent who re-elected Bush.

In fact, all Democrats are polling better against Bush, perhaps due to increased media attention to their primary horserace: Clark gets 47 percent of voters’ choice compared to 48 percent from Bush; Edwards has 46 percent compared to Bush’s 49; Leiberman wins 45 percent versus Bush’s 49 percent; and Dean fares the worst with 45 percent of their votes to Bush’s 50 percent.

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For this NEWSWEEK poll, Princeton Survey Research Associates interviewed 1,006 adults aged 18 and older Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 by telephone. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points

[KQQL]

Election between Ferry and W will be close.

[KQQL]

[Gordian Blade]

W has hacked off a lot of conservative voters, including me.

[dagnabbit]

Bush better hurry up and announce some more illegal alien amnesties.

[KQQL]

I bet this poll is heavy on Reg Dem voters.

[KQQL]

well you can always vote for Kerry....lol

[Brett66]

Adults but not registered likely's. Fah.

[KQQL]

Forty-nine percent of registered voters chose Kerry, compared to 46 percent who re-elected Bush. In fact, all Democrats are polling better against Bush, perhaps due to increased media attention to their primary horserace: Clark gets 47 percent of voters’ choice compared to 48 percent from Bush; Edwards has 46 percent compared to Bush’s 49; Leiberman wins 45 percent versus Bush’s 49 percent; and Dean fares the worst with 45 percent of their votes to Bush’s 50 percent.

[KQQL]

Also, SPENDING IS OUT OF CONTROL !

[mewzilla]

Not registered, or to be more accurate, likely voters. But what else can one expect from the rag that employs Spikey Isikoff?

[dagnabbit]

Folks should remember that Gore and Nader got 51 percent last time round and that immigrants and their children joining the voting roles have probably added another one percent to the blue side of the ledger since then.

Bush has always faced a tough reelection fight - even before he pissed off his base.

[tractorman]

And to think Ted Kennedy is the most conservative Senator in Massachusetts!

[andy58-in-nh]

W has hacked off a lot of conservative voters, including me.

So, you'd rather see the Democrats back in power, right? Of course not! But that's the alternative: Either Bush or high taxes and the foreign policy of France. W ain't perfect (from this Conservative's point of view): he's just a hell of a lot better than the alternative. As for Newsweak, that left-wing rag can go pound sand. 1006 people out of 120,000,000 million votes is hardly a meaningful sample.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

There's a huge difference between registerred and likely voters. Polls that are taken from likely voters are usually far more accurate.

[ambrose]

I don't agree. W. beats Kerry by at least 8%

[KQQL]

President Bush - Job Approval Ratings
Approve Disapprove

Newsweek 22-23 50 44%
ABC News/Wash Post 1/15 - 1/18 58% 40%
Zogby** 1/15 - 1/18 49% 50%
CBS News/NY Times 1/12 - 1/15 50% 45%
NBC News/WSJ 1/10 - 1/12 54% 41% + 13%

[Kuksool]

Last year, Kerry said he didn't need the South to win the White House. He planned on blowing off the South and concentrate his resources on NH, NV, AZ, MI, PA, WI, and MN.

I hope he is still planning on following that election strategy. We need to win those open Senate seats in the South.

[Dave S]

There's a huge difference between registerred and likely voters. Polls that are taken from likely voters are usually far more accurate.

And this poll isnt even taken among registered voters. Its among "adults" age 18 and older.