ZOGBY POLL
I think this is a positive for Kerry. Bush has spent 20 million in advertising, and Kerry has had a terrible two weeks and the race is still a dead heat.
March 17-19 (1065 likely voters-margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points)
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry
48
President George W. Bush
46
Undecided
5
NADER FACTOR
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry
46
President George W. Bush
46
Independent Ralph Nader
3
Undecided
5
Blues States
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry
56
President George W. Bush
38
Undecided
4
Red States
President George W. Bush
53
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry
40
Undecided
6
If a major terrorist attack were again to hit the United States...
President George W. Bush
51
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry
40
Undecided
6
Overall, however, President Bush's job performance rating continues to slide with 53% of likely voters giving him an negative rating (Fair-Poor), and 46% granting him a positive rating (Excellent-Good). On the important re-elect question, only 45% say that the President "deserves to be re-elected", while 51% say it "time for someone new" in. Voters also expressed concerns regarding the country's direction. A plurality of voters (50%) feel that the United States is headed on the wrong track, while 44% say that the country is headed in the right direction.
Almost one in three (30%) identified jobs and the economy as top issue facing the country, followed by the war on terrorism (16%), the war in Iraq (12%), health care (10%), and education (8%).
Pollster John Zogby: "This is predictably unpredictable. The President's job performance is down as is his re-elect. The country's direction is a net negative. Kerry seems to have weathered the first week of both blistering attacks from the President and Vice-President and his clumsy claim of support from foreign leaders. The President holds on to strong support among Republicans, but he is having trouble with Independents. Both sides have the gloves off and this tempo should continue because the race is just so tight."