Transcript from CNN on Oct 8 2000

[featherman]

Just for your amusement and education about Gallop's faulty methodology:

WOODRUFF (voice-over): For the first time, George W. Bush has hit the 50 percent mark in the CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup tracking poll, moving eight points ahead of Al Gore, who is at 42 percent. Why is Bush leading now?

KEATING HOLLAND, CNN POLLING DIRECTOR: He's got a major advantage on several personal characteristics that we weren't sure, at the beginning of the fall, were going to really matter to voters all that much. But now it looks as if he's kind of tied with Gore on a number of different issues. Personal characteristics may be becoming more important.

WOODRUFF: The poll asked which candidate was seen as more honest and trustworthy: Bush beats Gore 48 to 34 percent. On who is seen as a stronger and more decisive leader, it's Bush over Gore 48 to 38 percent. And on who is seen as a more likable person: Bush is ahead 49 to 38. The survey was conducted over three days -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday -- just after the political news was dominated by questions about Gore's truthfulness in certain statements during last week's presidential debate.

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0010/09/ip.00.html