Polls Show President Bush Gaining on John Kerry in Key Battleground States

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Aug 4, 2004   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Polls Show President Bush Gaining on John Kerry in Key Battleground States

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
August 4, 2004

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — After national polls showed that Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry received little or no bounce following the Democratic convention, polls in key battleground states also reveal the convention did nothing to boost his standing.

In the aftermath of the convention, a new poll conducted for the Arizona Republic newspaper reveals President Bush has not only retained his lead in the state, but improved by four percent.

The latest figures showed 48 percent in support of Bush, 45 percent for Kerry and only 7 percent undecided. Seven weeks ago, Bush had 44 percent to Kerry’s 41 percent.

Meanwhile, in Missouri, a Zogby International/Wall St. Journal poll found both candidates tied at 48 percent. That was the same as a pre-convention poll conducted earlier in July. Bush won the state in 2000.

In Wisconsin, President Bush rose in the polls and John Kerry dropped following the convention. A preconvention Zogby poll had Kerry leading 50 to 46 percent. After the convention, Kerry’s lead shrank to 50 to 48.

Democrat Al Gore won the state’s 11 electoral votes in the 2000 election, defeating Bush by just over 5,000. A win here by Bush would make it very difficult for Kerry to capture the presidency.

In pre and post-convention Zogby polls in Tennessee, Bush gained one point; Bush took the lead in Nevada following the Democratic convention; and, in Michigan, Bush reduced Kerry’s lead by one percent

The state of Florida is one of the few places where Kerry picked up steam.

A pre-convention Zogby poll found Bush and Kerry tied, but a post-convention poll showed Kerry leading 49 to 47 percent. Other Florida polls have found the president leading or the two candidates tied.

President Bush won Florida after a controversial recount and he will need to win in the Sunshine State again in order to return to the White House.

Kerry also gained ground in New Hampshire.

A pre-convention Zogby poll showed the Massachusetts senator leading the president 47-43 percent. A post-convention poll has Kerry leading Bush 51-42 percent.

New Hampshire’s four electoral votes went to Bush in 2000, who defeated Democrat Al Gore by just over 7,000 votes. Bush could lose the northeastern state in 2004 and still capture the electoral vote, but it would make Bush’s attempt to win re-election more difficult.