U.S. NewswireBread for the World: US Poverty Increases for Third Year in a Row; Census Bureau Data Shows More People Falling Below Poverty Line"These latest numbers are troubling, but what is even more alarming is the lack of serious debate during the election cycle about how to help the people struggling to lift themselves out of poverty," said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. "This is not a red or blue issue. Ending the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger is a red, white and blue issue. President Bush and Sen. Kerry need to move beyond events of 35 years ago, and focus on issues currently facing the families in our nation."
In a national poll of likely voters conducted on July 14-15, 2004, by Republican pollster Jim McLaughlin, a wide majority of voters (89 percent) said they considered a candidate's position on reducing hunger and poverty to be an important factor in deciding whom to vote for president. Additionally, 94 percent believe government anti-hunger programs are important.
Over the past two years, The Alliance to End Hunger has researched what voters think about hunger and what they expect from candidates. A majority of voters see hunger as an issue that should be addressed by candidates of both parties and will reward candidates who make solving the problem of hunger a priority. National polling shows:
-- Reducing hunger and poverty described as the most important issue by many voters, over environment and about as high as health care (July 2002, June 2003);
-- Rewarding candidates making hunger a priority -- 65 percent likely to vote for candidate making hunger a priority, 64 percent less likely for candidates who want substantial food stamp cuts (June 2003); ..
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