 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
New York Times - December 18, 2003 Poll shows candidates failing By ADAM NAGOURNEY and JANET ELDER Three years after one of the most disputed presidential contests in the nation's history, Americans remain polarized and divided as they approach the 2004 White House election. But most voters, including most Democrats, are largely unmoved by any of the nine Democrats who are seeking to unseat President Bush, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll. The poll suggests that Democrats clearly have a chance next year. Forty-five percent of voters said they would probably vote for Mr. Bush, compared with 39 percent who said they would probably vote for his Democratic opponent, no matter who that is. And 38 percent say they do not believe that Mr. Bush was legitimately elected, nearly the same number who expressed that view the month after that election. But Mr. Bush shows broad signs of strength going into the 2004 election. Voters continue to choose the Republican Party as better able to manage national security and foreign policy. Democrats are battling a perception that they are fighting a losing battle, particularly after Saddam Hussein's capture in Iraq. In a question asked after his capture, voters said by three to one they expected Mr. Bush to win next year. Views of the Democratic contenders remain largely unformed. Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, who is seen by most Democratic Party officials as the clear leader in the nomination contest, is favorably rated by one-third of Democratic primary voters. But more than half of all Democrats say they do not know enough about Dr. Dean to offer an opinion. In a potential sign of concern for Democrats who are contemplating the prospects of a contest between Mr. Bush and Dr. Dean, one-quarter of registered voters already have an unfavorable view of Dr. Dean. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/18/politics/campaigns/18POLL.html
|