March 15, 1999
Web posted at: 5:25 p.m. EST (2225 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 15) -- What's up with Al Gore?

The vice president has a 62 percent approval rating, and a majority of Americans agree with him on the issues and say he has the necessary moral character to be president, a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows.

But only 41 percent would vote for him in a hypothetical match-up against GOP front-runner, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, according to the poll. Four in 10 of those surveyed said they definitely would not vote for Gore in November 2000 regardless of who the Republicans nominate.

Gore would pull a little more support against former Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole and beat publisher Steve Forbes if the election were held now, the poll indicated.

What are Gore's weaknesses? Only 35 percent of those surveyed said he is inspiring, and just 46 percent said that he can bring about the changes this country needs.

And while Americans think Gore can keep the economy strong, they feel the same way about Bush and Dole.

A little more than half -- 54 percent -- of the poll respondents said they generally agree with Gore on issues they care about. However, the same number said they agree with Bush on the issues, and even more said the same about Dole, offering one indication that the 2000 election may be driven by personalities instead of issues.

The survey of 1,025 adult American was conducted on March 12-14, 1999. The results have a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points unless otherwise noted below.

If Vice President Al Gore were the Democratic Party's candidate and Texas Governor George W. Bush were the Republican Party's candidate, who would you be more likely to vote for?

If Vice President Al Gore were the Democratic Party's candidate and former Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole were the Republican Party's candidate, who would you be more likely to vote for?

If Vice President Al Gore were the Democratic Party's candidate and businessman Steve Forbes were the Republican Party's candidate, who would you be more likely to vote for?

Which of the following statements best describes your chances of voting for Vice President Gore for president -- 1) You definitely will vote for him regardless of who the Republican Party nominates 2) Your vote for Gore depends on who the Republican Party nominates, 3) You will definitely not vote for him regardless of who the Republican Party nominates?

Will definitely not vote for him/her regardless of who the other party nominates

I'm going to read a list of people who may be running in the Democratic primary for president in the next election. After I read all the names, please tell me which of those candidates you would be most likely to support for the Democratic nomination for president in the year 2000?

Asked of Democrats only; sampling error: +/-5 percentage points

I'm going to read a list of people who may be running in the Republican primary for president in the next election. After I read all the names, please tell me which of those candidates you would be most likely to support for the Republican nomination for president in the year 2000?

Asked of Republicans only; sampling error: +/-5 percentage points

Next, I'm going to read some personal characteristics and qualities. As I read each one, please say whether you think it applies or doesn't apply to Al Gore:

Does the characteristic "inspiring" apply to the following people?

Do the following people have the qualities that can bring about the changes this country needs?

Do the following people have the qualities that can keep the economy strong?

Do the following people generally agree with you on the issues you care about?

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Al Gore is handling his job as vice president?

Do you approve of the President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore are handling their jobs?

Monday, March 15, 1999

• Medicare showing its age at 40
• Public opinion does not side with most proposed Medicare reforms
• Former potential foe Gephardt will endorse Gore
• Poll: Gore gets high marks on issues, character but lags behind other candidates
• Forbes expected to launch candidacy this week
• 2000 Senate races heating up
• Sen. Chafee announces retirement
• Los Angeles' pitch for DNC 2000 convention may have paid off
• Testimony resumes in McDougal trial
• Clinton tops poll on foreign policy
• McCain slams Clinton policies in speech on geopolitics
• Sununu co-chairing Quayle campaign
• Report: New Jersey gov. to run for Senate
• Sen. Mack makes retirement official
• Parties fight for control of House

ARCHIVES