AP Poll: Kerry Narrows Security Issue Gap

[DrFunkenstein]

WASHINGTON - Democrat John Kerry, whose nominating convention highlighted his war service and focused on national security, has narrowed the gap on President Bush's strong suit of protecting the country, according to an Associated Press poll that shows the race remains tight.

Flanked by his Vietnam crewmates, Kerry delivered an acceptance speech last week laden with references to patriotism, his decorated military record and his qualifications for commander in chief — a theme underscored by speaker after speaker over the four-day gathering. The images and rhetoric registered with a number of voters.

In the AP survey conducted Tuesday through Thursday, 43 percent said Kerry would do a better job of protecting the country — a gain of 8 percentage points for the Democratic presidential nominee from a similar survey in March.

Bush still has the advantage on the issue, with 52 percent saying the Republican incumbent would do better in protecting the nation. But Bush's percentage on the issue has dropped 6 percentage points since March, according to the poll conducted for the AP by Ipsos-Public Affairs, and the latest survey was taken as he faced questions about dated intelligence for increased terror alerts.

Edison Montgomery, a 59-year-old Democrat from Lancaster, Ohio, said that after watching the convention he has grown more comfortable with Kerry — especially on whether he is capable of protecting the nation.

"He seems like he's got a good head on his shoulders," Montgomery said.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&e=2&u=/ap/president_ap_poll



And good hair on his head! That's very important. You don't want to send a signal to the terrorists that you're here one day, gone the other - just like male pattern baldness.

Oh, and by the way, the poll numbers to watch these days are the ones about the economy, foreign policy, and general favoribility. The surface polls will not tell much of what things will look like in November, but these undercurrent polls show how comfortable people are with either choice and give an indication of where future trends will head.

[madmax]

1. I'd like to get the book

I didn't see it on the Kerry website.

[DrFunkenstein]

2. I Was Just Thinking The Same Thing

I've got A Call To Service (signed by Kerry to DrFunkenstein!), but this book is new to me. I wonder what they've done differently in emphasis.

[madmax]

3. So cool, Dr.

Did you see him in person and have the book signed. Did he laugh when you said, DrFunkenstein. ;)

[DrFunkenstein]

4. Actually, He Did Laugh - But He Knew About DU!

Chris Heinz, as you may or may not know, is a big fan of DU, and either him or one of Kerry's staff had brought it to his attention. Both Kerry and Teresa had a sense of the internet's potential early on (not Joe Trippi early on, but still) in the campaign. When it came to light that so many Kerry voters in Iowa got their information from the net, you're damn straight that Democratic efforts like DU got noticed quick.