Even as economy recovers, undecideds tilt toward Kerry
Opinion of Bush's performance reaches a low for his term - yet his supporters are fervent, and the race remains tight.
By Linda Feldmann | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
FROM:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0611/p02s02-uspo.htmlWASHINGTON – President Bush is losing ground with the American public in how his leadership rankings, but in a head-to-head matchup with Democratic rival John Kerry, he remains in a dead heat, according to the latest Christian Science Monitor/TIPP poll.
In the nationwide poll of 1,003 adults, taken June 1-6, Bush suffered across the board losses in his presidential leadership ratings, posting an all-time low in the Christian Science Monitor/TIPP Poll's Presidential Leadership Index. That reading dropped from a slightly positive 51.8 in May to slightly negative 47.3 in June; 50 represents a neutral view.
'At a crossroads'
Still, among the 834 registered voters polled, Bush leads a three-way field of presidential candidates, with 43 percent of the vote. Senator Kerry gets 41 percent and independent candidate Ralph Nader wins 7 percent. A month ago, Bush led by 1 point. Currently, in a two-way matchup against Kerry, Bush leads 45 percent to 44 percent.
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