Poll: Gore, Bush comfortably ahead nationwide
By Keating Holland/CNN
January 21, 2000
Web posted at: 3:16 p.m. EST (2016 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As the primary season is about to get under way, Vice President Al Gore and
Texas Gov. George W. Bush remain comfortably ahead of their rivals for their respective Democratic
and Republican presidential races, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.
Not only has Bush maintained a 3-to-1 lead over his nearest rival, Sen. John McCain of Arizona,
he has significantly increased the strength of that support, the poll indicates.
In September, nearly half of Bush voters said they might change their minds and support another
candidate. Today, a majority of Bush supporters say they are certain to vote for him.
The poll is based on interviews with 1,496 adult Americans, including 1,304 registered voters, 745
likely voters, 617 registered Republicans and 562 registered Democrats. It was conducted
January 17-19.
On the Democratic side, Gore's support is just as deep. He holds a 60 percent-27 percent
advantage over former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey, and most of Gore voters say they are
certain to support him. But 62 percent of Bradley Democrats say they might change their mind and
support Gore.
Voters on both sides of the aisle see little difference between
their party's hopefuls.
Only a quarter of all Republicans say that there are
major differences between Bush and McCain on the issues; only one in five
Democrats say that there are major differences between Gore and Bradley.
Democrats and Republicans alike don't think the primary campaigns have been
unfair so far.
Only 15 percent of Democrats say that Gore has been attacking Bradley
unfairly, and just 23 percent say that Bradley has been attacking Gore unfairly. The
results are nearly the same on the GOP side.
Registered Republicans'
Choice for Nomination |
Bush | 63% | Bauer | 2% |
McCain | 19% | Keyes | 1% |
Forbes | 6% | Hatch | 1% |
Sampling error: +/-5% pts |
Registered Democrats'
Choice for Nomination |
Gore | 60% |
Bradley | 27% |
Sampling error: +/-5% pts |
Strength of Support
Among Gore Voters |
Certain to vote for Gore | 54% |
May vote for Bradley | 42% |
Sampling error: +/-6% pts |
Strength of Support
Among Bradley Voters |
Certain to vote for Bradley | 34% |
May vote for Gore | 62% |
Sampling error: +/-6% pts |
Strength of Support
Among Bush Voters |
| Now | Sept. |
Certain to vote for Bush | 55% | 41% |
May vote for other GOP | 42% | 49% |
Sampling error: +/-6% pts |
Strength of Support
Among McCain Voters |
Certain to vote for McCain | 45% |
May vote for other GOP | 52% |
Sampling error: +/-8% pts |
Major Differences Between
Gore and Bradley? |
Yes | 21% |
No | 65% |
Asked of Democrats only
Sampling error: +/-5% pts |
Major Differences Between
Bush and McCain? |
Yes | 25% |
No | 58% |
Asked of Republicans only
Sampling error: +/-5% pts |
Attacking His Opponent Unfairly? |
| Bush | McCain |
Yes | 13% | 24% |
No | 66% | 54% |
Asked of Republicans only
Sampling error: +/-5% pts |
Attacking His Opponent Unfairly? |
| Gore | Bradley |
Yes | 15% | 23% |
No | 62% | 54% |
Asked of Democrats only
Sampling error: +/-5% pts |
Bush continues to lead Gore among likely voters in a hypothetical general
election match-up. One reason: barely half of all Americans say that Gore has
the personality and leadership qualities a president should have; two-thirds
feel that way about Bush.
Which personal qualities in particular? Sixty percent say that Bush inspires confidence;
only 44 percent say that about Gore. Sixty-six percent say Bush is a strong and decisive leader;
just 42 percent say that about Gore. Sixty-four percent say that Gore is someone they respect --
but even more (73 percent) feel that way about Bush.
Some bad news for Bush: the number of Americans who say that he would do a good job on
health care (one of the public's top priorities) and on world affairs has gone
down since the fall -- although a majority still say he would do a good job on
both issues.
Has the Personal Qualities
A President Should Have? |
| Yes | No |
Bush | 65% | 28% |
Gore | 52% | 43% |
Sampling error: +/-3% pts |
Strong and Decisive Leader? |
| Yes | No |
Bush | 66% | 24% |
Gore | 42% | 47% |
Sampling error: +/-3% pts |
Inspires Confidence? |
| Yes | No |
Bush | 60% | 29% |
Gore | 44% | 47% |
Sampling error: +/-3% pts |
Someone You Can Respect? |
| Yes | No |
Bush | 73% | 20% |
Gore | 64% | 31% |
Sampling error: +/-3% pts |
Would Bush Do a Good Job
Handling Health Care? |
| Yes | No |
Now | 50% | 34% |
September | 57% | 26% |
Sampling error: +/-3% pts |
Would Bush Do a Good Job
Handling World Affairs? |
| Yes | No |
Now | 55% | 28% |
September | 61% | 22% |
Sampling error: +/-3% pts |
Would Do a Good Job
Handling Health Care? |
| Yes | No |
Bush | 50% | 34% |
Gore | 60% | 30% |
Sampling error: +/-3% pts |
Would Do a Good Job
Handling World Affairs? |
| Yes | No |
Bush | 55% | 28% |
Gore | 50% | 36% |
Sampling error: +/-3% pts |
Likely Voters'
Choice for President |
Bush | 53% |
Gore | 42% |
Sampling error: +/-4% pts |
Likely Voters'
Choice for President |
Bush | 49% |
Bradley | 45% |
Sampling error: +/-4% pts |
Likely Voters'
Choice for President |
McCain | 52% |
Gore | 42% |
Sampling error: +/-4% pts |
Likely Voters'
Choice for President |
McCain | 47% |
Bradley | 43% |
Sampling error: +/-4% pts |
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