Skip to main content
The Web    CNN.com      Powered by
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SERVICES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SEARCH
Web CNN.com
powered by Yahoo!
Inside Politics

Poll finds Kerry with big lead among Democrats

Foresees close matchup with Bush

Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts
Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts

Story Tools

ON CNN TV
Stay with CNN-USA all weekend for live coverage of the presidential caucuses in Maine, and for updates and analysis of the campaign.
CNN ELECTION EXPRESS
On the campaign trail: The latest Express Line dispatch 
more video VIDEO
John Kerry fires back at allegations his campaign has taken money from special interest groups.
premium content

CNN's Jeff Flock on Internet voting in Michigan.
premium content
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
Follow the news that matters to you. Create your own alert to be notified on topics you're interested in.

Or, visit Popular Alerts for suggestions.

(CNN) -- Sen. John Kerry holds a dominant edge over his Democratic presidential rivals in a nationwide CNN/Time poll released Saturday night, but all the leading Democrats trail President Bush in hypothetical one-on-one matchups -- though results pitting Bush against Kerry or Sen. John Edwards fell within the poll's margin of error.

Kerry, of Massachusetts, was preferred by 43 percent of the 377 registered Democrats or Democratic-leaning voters.

Edwards, a North Carolina senator, polled 18 percent, and retired Gen. Wesley Clark was the choice of 11 percent.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean had 8 percent, civil rights activist Al Sharpton 6 percent and Rep. Dennis Kucinich, 5 percent. The balance of registered Democrats had no preference, or weren't sure of their choice.

The margin of error was 5.7 percentage points.

In a hypothetical matchup against Bush, Kerry trailed 50 percent to 48 among likely voters with a 4.1 percentage-point margin of error. For Kerry, it was big improvement from a month ago, when he trailed Bush 54-40 in a similar comparison.

Edwards also trailed Bush in a hypothetical contest, 52 to 46 percent -- a better showing than a month ago, when he trailed 53 to 39.

In a hypothetical matchup with Clark, Bush led 55-41 percent.

The president's approval rating was at 54 percent, with 42 percent disapproving of his performance in office. Bush's approval rating has been remarkably stable in the Time/CNN poll, since July never dipping below 52 percent or above 55 percent.

Kerry's advantage over other Democrats mirrors his remarkable surge in the opening rounds of primaries and caucuses. The Massachusetts senator won nine of the first 11 contests, including projected wins in the Washington and Michigan caucuses Saturday.

In a nationwide Time/CNN poll taken just days before the January 19 New Hampshire primary, Kerry and Edwards were tied for third place with 9 percent apiece. Howard Dean led with 19 percent, while Wesley Clark had 14 percent.

One sign of trouble

One sign of trouble for Kerry in the new poll: 21 percent said the fact he represents Massachusetts, "a state that is more liberal than most others," would make them less likely to vote for him. Ten percent said it makes him more likely to get their vote, while 67 percent said it made no difference.

A significant majority in the poll found both Kerry and Bush "likeable," but respondents showed a high degree of cynicism about the electoral process.

Asked if the statement "would say anything to get elected president" applies to Kerry, 44 percent said yes, while just 40 percent said no.

Asked the same of Bush, 52 percent said yes, while 45 percent said no.

The survey was conducted by telephone, February 5 and 6, interviewing 1,000 Americans age 18 and older.


Story Tools
Subscribe to Time for $1.99 cover
Top Stories
Panel: Spy agencies in dark about threats
Top Stories
CNN/Money: Security alert issued for 40 million credit cards
 
 
 
 

International Edition
CNN TV CNN International Headline News Transcripts Advertise With Us About Us
SEARCH
   The Web    CNN.com     
Powered by
© 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us.
external link
All external sites will open in a new browser.
CNN.com does not endorse external sites.
 Premium content icon Denotes premium content.
Add RSS headlines.