Poll: No boost for Kerry after convention
The survey showed Kerry losing 1 percentage point and Bush gaining 4 percentage points from a poll taken the week before the Boston convention.
The change in support was within the poll's margin of error of +/-4 percentage points in the sample of 763 likely voters. But it was nonetheless surprising, the first time since the chaotic Democratic convention in 1972 that a candidate hasn't gained ground during his convention.
USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll results
Some additional numbers that President Bush or John Kerry may or may not want to talk up:
4. Now, suppose that the presidential election were being held today, and it included John Kerry and John Edwards as the Democratic candidates, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney as the Republican candidates, and Ralph Nader and Peter Camejo as independent candidates. Who would you vote for?
Date: 2004 Jul 30-31
Kerry/Edwards 46% Bush/Cheney 50% Nadar/Camejo 2%
Date: 2004 Jul 19-21
Kerry/Edwards 47% Bush/Cheney 46% Nadar/Camejo 4%
Obviously, this being an election for President and not for President on specific issues, this does not look good for Kerry.
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?
Date: 2004 Jul 30-31
Approve 47% Disapprove 49%
Date: 2004 Jul 19-21
Approve 49% Disapprove 47%
This is one of the Kerry Camps favorite numbers, as they point to the fact that no incumbent in decades has won with approval ratings like this.
7. Right now, do you think that economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?
Date: 2004 Jul 30-31 Getting Better 49% Getting Worse 42%
Date: 2004 Jul 8-11 Getting Better 51% Getting Worse 38%
Seeing as how the DOW fluctuates based on the weather, I dont think this is a very important number. But nonetheless, they bode well for Kerry.
12. Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with George W. Bush/John Kerry on the issues that matter most to you.
A. George W. Bush Agree 47% Disagree 51%
B. John Kerry Agree 52% Disagree 43%
This number gives the perception that Kerry is a man of the people.
13. Next, regardless of which presidential candidate you support, please tell me if you think John Kerry or George W. Bush would better handle each of the following issues.
A. The economy Kerry 54% Bush 43% +11
C. Terrorism Kerry 42% Bush 54% +12
14. Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each one applies more to John Kerry or more to George W. Bush.
B. Cares about the needs of people like you
Kerry 53% Bush 38% +15
C. Is a strong and decisive leader
Kerry 42% Bush 51% + 9
E. Has an optimistic vision for the countrys future
Kerry 51% Bush 40% +11
G. Does not change his positions on issues for political reasons Kerry 33% Bush 55% +22
I. Will unite the country and not divide it
Kerry 52% Bush 39% +13
I dont know what is most important to you, but defending our nation from terrorists with a strong and decisive leader that does not change their position for political gain is of utmost importance to me.