Election 2004: Bush Leads Kerry Among Likely Voters
FAIRFIELD, Conn., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national poll released today
by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute indicates nearly two-thirds
of those surveyed, 60.2%, suggest the U.S. should fulfill its commitment to
return control to the Iraqis by the June 30, 2004 deadline, as promised.
One-quarter, 24.9%, felt the turnover deadline should be delayed, and some,
15%, were unsure.
The latest SHU poll also probed decided voters' opinions on the upcoming
Presidential race. Among those who identified themselves as likely voters,
President George Bush led U.S. Senator John Kerry by 51.9% to 46.1%, with 2%
indicating support for Ralph Nader.
Among other key poll findings: By nearly a two-to-one margin, Americans
believe that President George Bush rather than Senator Kerry (23.2% to 13.5%)
would be most "helped" if a terrorist act occurs in the U.S. just prior to the
Presidential election in November 2004. Many, 39.3%, say it would make no
difference, and 21.6% were unsure. Nearly half of those surveyed, 49.0%,
describe their reaction as "angry" if the U.S. Supreme Court decides to remove
the phrase "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance. One-third, 30.8%, will
disagree with the Court but accept the decision. And 12.7% reported they will
accept and agree with the Court decision. Half of Americans surveyed, 50.1%,
said they believe claims by Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry and
Author Bob Woodward that there is a secret deal between the Saudi Arabian
government and the Bush administration to lower gas prices just prior to the
November 2004 election. One-quarter, 26.1%, say the charge is very
believable, while 24.0% say the charge is somewhat believable. Another 41.5%
say the charge is somewhat unbelievable, or not at all believable.
Half of the survey's respondents were aware of the Patriot Act. Of this
group, 49.9%, favor making the act permanent or toughening it, while 37.1%
were in favor of allowing Patriot Act provisions to expire. Some, 13.0%, were
unsure.
According to the poll, the President's favorable job rating has moved
slightly upward, to 57.7% in April 2004, from 53.2%, reported by the SHU poll
in February 2004. Senator Kerry's favorable rating came in at 44.1% in the
latest SHU poll.
In commenting on the poll, Jerry Lindsley, Director of the Sacred Heart
University Polling Institute, said: "While President Bush appears to have
moved out of a dead heat to a six-point lead over Senator Kerry, both can take
some comfort in this poll's results. Kerry is seen as better able to handle
corporate corruption, the environment and securing affordable health care.
Bush is seen as most likely to understand the worldwide terrorist threat,
protect family values, and maintaining or lowering taxes."
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SOURCE Sacred Heart University Polling Institute
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Related links:
http://www.sacredheart.edu
CONTACT:
Bernard Gilmore of Sacred Heart University
Polling Institute, +1-203-371-7899
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