Bush and Kerry level pegging as economy picks up
US president George Bush has pulled back into a tie with Democrat John Kerry in a CBS News-New York Times poll, apparently boosted by increasing optimism about the economy.
The race remains close even though Bush’s job approval rating was 42%, his lowest level of recent polls, amid rising concerns about Iraq and terrorism.
Kerry was backed by 45% and Bush by 44% in the latest poll. In a three-way matchup, Kerry and Bush were still running even while independent Ralph Nader was at 5%.
In May, Kerry led Bush by eight percentage points in a two-way matchup, and by six points in a three-way matchup.
The poll found a slight increase in the number of people who said the economy is getting better – from 25% to 30% – and a significant decline in the number who said it’s getting worse – from 21% to 30%.
Three-quarters of those who say the economy is improving support Bush, and three-quarters of those who say it is getting worse support Kerry.
While Bush’s support on Iraq has been dropping in several polls, the public’s view of the economy has been gradually improving – reflecting several months of indications that the economy is bouncing back.
