7 Pt Swing Since July
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040806/ap_on_el_pr/president_ap_poll&cid
=694&ncid=2043
Kerry/Edwards: 48% (45%)
Bush/Cheney: 45% (49%)
Nader: 3% (3%)
MOE: 3.5%
The AP-Ipsos poll surveyed 1,001 adults, including 798 registered voters From August 3-5th.
In the AP survey conducted Tuesday through Thursday, 43 percent said Kerry would do a better job of protecting the country -- a gain of 8 percentage points for the Democratic presidential nominee from a similar survey in March.
Kerry improved his standing on the issue with a demographic group that tends to lean Republican: men under age 45.
In a three-way matchup, Kerry and running mate John Edwards (news - web sites) have the backing of 48 percent, Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) 45 percent and independent Ralph Nader (news - web sites) and running mate Peter Camejo (news - web sites) 3 percent.
The poll had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
In July, Bush had a slight lead over Kerry -- 49 percent to 45 percent -- with 3 percent backing Nader.
Although Bush's ratings have dipped in other areas, including his stewardship of the war in Iraq (news - web sites) and his handling of the economy, 51 percent still approve of the president's handling of the war on terrorism to 48 percent who disapprove.
The economy has been improving in fits and starts but continues to be a troublesome issue for Bush. Fewer than half -- 46 percent -- said they approve of the Republican's handling of the economy, about the same percentage as July.
Kerry held a clear advantage over Bush on the question of who would do better at creating jobs, with 55 percent naming Kerry and 39 percent saying Bush -- a number essentially unchanged from March.
The job numbers released Friday are likely to reinforce that perception.
"We have a long way to go on jobs," said Cara Easterly, a 37-year-old Democrat from the Seattle area. "I don't think Bush is focused on the problem. He's more focused on what's going on outside the country."
Strong support for Bush and Kerry now is about even, with 32 percent saying they are backers of the Republican and 31 percent saying their candidate is Kerry. In July, Bush was slightly ahead of Kerry in intensity of support.