Kerry holds largest lead yet over Bush: 55% to 43%

[Maddy McCall]

Top Democrats lead Bush in poll
WASHINGTON (USATODAY.com) — Democrat John Kerry holds his largest lead yet over President Bush in a head-to-head match-up among likely voters, a new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup poll concludes, and rival John Edwards also holds a double-digit lead over the president.
The poll, taken Feb. 16-17, indicates that if the election were held today, Kerry would be chosen by 55% of likely voters, compared to 43% for Bush. In the last polling, Feb. 6-8, Bush held a 49-48 advantage.

Edwards, Kerry's sole remaining major rival for the Democratic nomination, holds a 54%-44% advantage, the poll indicates. The question has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The numbers come as both Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, and Edwards, a senator from North Carolina, have maintained a relatively high public profile because of the ongoing Democratic presidential campaign. They also come as questions continue to be raised about Bush's Vietnam-era service in the National Guard.

more at:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-02-18-poll_x.htm

*************************

Great news, Kerry supporters--AND Edwards supporters!

[bigwillq]

1. The numbers are promising

but I think it's too early yet to get all excited. This is not pro-shrub just reality there's a long way to go but I hope we win out.

[wysi]

3. Indeed...

Dukakis was 10 points up just after the Dem Convention in 1988.

[lancdem]

5. We haven't even had our convention yet

[elperromagico]

8. Unfortunately, this gives Kerry more time to screw up.

Don't screw this up, JFK. Fight, damn you, fight.

[Taeger]

7. Incumbents ...

Dukakis wasn't running against an incumbent.

All incumbents inherintly face a referendum on themselves. Bush's numbers keep dropping and that's a REAL BAD place for Bush to be.

Bush is in trouble, and they KNOW IT!!!

[West Coast Democrat]

9. That seems to be the GOP mantra nowadays

This time we'll be up 20 points after the convention!

[annxburns]

2. Screw it, I'm getting excited ...

....
GO Kerry, GO Kerry, Go Kerry, Go Kerry

Get down with yo bad self.

[Frances]

4. OK

I'll get excited with you. Go Kerry! Go Edwards!

I am pleased that Edwards is a strong 2nd. That means the press has to give more free coverage to the Dems. And we will never be able to compete with the Repubs as far as money. And of course Bush keeps on keeping on campaigning on our tax dollars.

[elperromagico]

6. Looks like the "Massachusetts Liberal" might whoop a lil Texas ass.

[JohnKleeb]

10. Ahem you mean Connecticut

[elperromagico]

13. Yes. Connecticut Yankee in Sam Houston's court.

[tritsofme]

11. Stick a fork in him.

He's done.

[robbedvoter]

12. Expect "Edwards beats W" headlines before primaries

This is how they made dean, then Kerry, then Edwards...
Wake me up when the headlines reads Sharpton beats W"
Don't get me wrong - I hope with all my heart it's true, but polls....


http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/08/1076175030977.html
One of the ways in which elected representatives are curbed and controlled is through a never-ending process of phoney elections. They are called opinion polls. Presented as an expression of the popular will and thus an expression of democracy itself, they serve the opposite purpose. They are a method of control.

[elperromagico]

15. No poll ever had Dean beating Bush (IIRC).

Several polls have Kerry beating Bush. I understand your point, but that's the fundamental difference.

[ozone_man]

14. Nope, Bush leading Kerry now.

February 18, 2004--President George W. Bush now leads Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry by five points in the latest Rasmussen Reports Presidential Tracking Poll. As of this morning, Bush attracts support from 48% of the nation's likely voters while Kerry is the choice for 43%.

Today's reading is the largest lead for either candidate since John Kerry became the Democrat's front-runner. For most of February, the two candidates have been essentially even. Three days ago, Kerry assumed a modest lead that now appears to be statistical noise.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Presidential_Tracking_Poll.htm

[Maddy McCall]

16. Two different polls conducted within the same three days.

Different results.

[elperromagico]

17. Well, they average out to Kerry 49%, Bush 45.5%

That may not be scientific, but it sounds about right.

[Maddy McCall]

18. Sounds good to me.

:thumbsup:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

19. Rasmussen is a RW pollster..also claimed Bush would beat Gore

by 12 points in 00...besides if you look at last week's polls when every other poll in the nation had Kerry beating Bush, Rasmussen still didn't reflect that unless I am mistaken.

[Maddy McCall]

20. You're right.

Looks like he consistently has a twelve point problem, eh.