Kerry gains in Pa. poll as war uneasiness grows (Now Leading)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04272/386893.stm

Rising anti-war sentiment in Pennsylvania has helped Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry regain ground in traditional Republican areas, according to a poll released today.

The survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University shows Kerry with 46 percent to 44 percent for President Bush among likely voters about two weeks after a similar poll showed 48 percent for Bush and 47 percent for Kerry.

Among a larger sample of registered voters, Kerry opened up a larger lead over the Republican incumbent, 46 percent to 41 percent. In a three-way race that includes independent Ralph Nader, who is fighting in court to be listed on the state's ballot, Kerry maintained a lead over Bush, 46 percent to 42 percent, while Nader had 4 percent.

The poll also showed an erosion in support for the war in Iraq: 49 percent disapproved of the war while 43 percent approved of it. The previous poll found Pennsylvania voters evenly divided over the war.

"The result has strengthened Kerry's lead in the critical Philadelphia suburbs, while cutting into the president's domination of central Pennsylvania," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "These numbers show how volatile the race is in this key battleground state and how uncertain the outcome continues to be."