Bush, Kerry Even in N.M. Popularity

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | March 23, 2004 | David Miles

[CedarDave]

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Bush, Kerry Even in N.M. Popularity

By David Miles
Copyright © 2004 Albuquerque Journal; Journal Capitol Bureau

SANTA FE— Neither President Bush nor Sen. John Kerry is leading the presidential popularity contest in New Mexico so far, a Journal poll found.

Forty-three percent of registered voters said they had a favorable impression of Bush, compared to 44 percent for Kerry.

New Mexico has been identified by both sides in the 2004 presidential contest as a battleground state. Democrat Al Gore carried the state over Bush four years ago by just 366 votes. Now Bush and Kerry, the almost-certain Democratic nominee, appear to be heading into the long spring-to-fall campaign with a statistically equal start in New Mexico. However, voters were asked in the Journal poll whether they had a favorable or unfavorable impression of each candidate, not whom they expected to vote for.

More voters said they had an unfavorable impression of Bush than Kerry— 38 percent compared to 24 percent. But more voters were undecided about Kerry, who probably remains the lesser-known candidate. The poll was conducted March 10-15.

Pollster Brian Sanderoff predicted the numbers will change now that the campaign is beginning. The unfavorable impression number for Kerry, in particular, could grow, he said. "The Bush machine is just getting going," said Sanderoff, president of the Albuquerque firm Research and Polling Inc., which conducted the Journal poll.

Kerry led Bush in favorability among New Mexico Hispanic voters— 55 percent to 44 percent for Bush. But Bush had substantial and near equal support among both Hispanic and Anglo voters, 44 percent and 43 percent respectively.

"That should be great news for the president," Sanderoff said.

--snip--

The Journal poll is based on random telephone interviews with 330 registered voters statewide and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

Coming Wednesday: New Mexicans polled on Gov. Bill Richardson.

Copyright 2004 Albuquerque Journal

(Not for commercial use; for educational and discussion purposes only)

[CedarDave]

One of our FReepers is keeping track of election polls. Someone PING him/her please.

[DM1]

I really hope that we pick up NM along with MN PA and Oregon while retaining OH and Florida

[RepubMommy]

They are neck even in a state that went to Gore last election.

[LS]

Yah, but it went to Gore by 340 votes. IMHO, Bush MUST win this state, plus WI, IO, and OR.

I mean, obviously from 2000 he can win without it, but I think we must have a SUBSTANTIAL victory, not just a squeaker, to shut these people up, and NM is key.

[KJacob]

You know NM was actually closer than Florida. Yet as far as I know Bush did not sent legions to NM to dispute every ballot the way Gore did in FL. That tells me something about the two men. Gore seemed to have so strong a thirst that he would do anything to win so he sent troops to FL. Bush seemed willing to accept the count so he did not send troops to NM.

[Coop]

Pretty impressive numbers for Dubya in NM. 38% disapproval is running - what, 5-6 points behind the national average? I imagine this poll (granted, it's one and it's early) pleases the Bush campaign.

[OldFriend]

New Mexico was one of those elections that was going to be contested last election. When Florida was resolved, the contest was withdrawn.

It was clear that fraud played a major role in that case. With Richardson in charge now, you can be sure that fraud will again be a factor.

[Time is now]

Funny, this from the state that elected the buffoon as Governor that oversaw the delivery of 50 years of nuclear secrets to China. The same group that "found" two hard drives behind a copy machine at Los Almos with nuclear plans on them. The same group that made sure Wen Ho Lee got a fist full of money from the US Treasury after his brief stint in the slammer, when he should have gotten the chair. New Mexico, a vast wasteland of minds.

[rebapiper]

It makes you wonder how Bill Richardson got elected. I think
the Clinton are very much involved with the torrist groups
Hillary spent most of her time on listening tours with torrorist groups.
Albright, the Clintons and the Democratic party had a very
happy and successfull day, the day the embassy was bombed
in Africa. Clinton used that bombings to show Black America
just what will happen if the don't vote for their party.Clinton had the news media run the films of the bombed
building and parade the bodies across the tv screen as he
visited the black churchs and spoke with them.
Albright and Clinton were informed of the threats against
the embassy in Africa and they were asked many time to step
up security. Albright and Clinton REFUSED to step up security in Africa. WHERE ARE THOSE THAT TRIED TO GET HELP
BEFORE THE BOMBING.
The torrorist flew the planes but the Clinton set the course and left the country before 9/11 the RATS all ran.
The news media's hatred for Pres.Bush is also hatred for this country. They refuse to report or expose this communist
party know as the demorats. It was party time for 8 years
and the press traveled around the world at our expense.

[Dales]

Had it up this morning before I went to work. Thanks!

[rebapiper]

Gore illegally gave the NAACP $1.4 bullion dollars of our
tax dollars to sport him in the election. The NAACP gave
thousands to Jackson to go to Florida and help over turn
that election.
Illinios a democratic state not by choice. The Dailey Machine kepted him in office and Jackson got rich off electrion fruad, black mail.
The Election in spain? When ever their is an important election to take place the Demorats go running to get their
poeple in office. They did it in Israel, Mexico. I honestly
think the Demorats played a big roll in the over turn of
Spains election. The war crimes in Kosovo, the slaughter of
innocent Serbs was all about oil. Clinton was to bomb Iraq
but instead Soddom bought his way out and the Serbs become
the target. Clinton Could have just bombed the Serbs oil
refineries but than that would have been enough of a distraction as to why he let Soddom off the hook.
HOW MUCH MONEY DID ALBRIGHT, RICHARDSON AND THE CLINTONS
GET NOT TO BOMB IRAQ?
The criminals that sit in our goverment are responsible for
9//11.
The press that continues to cover up for the criminals that
are trully reponsible for 9/11 makes them just as guilty as
those that commited the crime.
THE SERBS NEED TO CALL FOR THE CLINTONS TO FACE CHARGES ON
WAS CRIMES. KOSOVO WAS A BIG,BIG MONEY MAKER FOR THE CLINTONS AND THE COMMERATS IN THIS COUNTRY. The attack on
our President is treasonist. The Demo are creating a diversion for something big. What are the Demorats going
to pull off before the election. I hope not another attack
on this country. Hillary scared to come out and announce
her run for VP.? Hillary knows they are responsible for 9/11
and they need to clear the Dems for the attack on this country. Hillary the mouth peice, the puppet for the communist party, the well paid madamn of torrorists is not
capable of defending herself. When she speaks y ou hear how
stupid she really is. Everything has to be written for her.

[deport]

Bush did not sent legions to NM to dispute every ballot

---

NM was inconsequential to Bush. It all hinged on FL for him. Winning or losing NM made no difference in the out come if he lost FL.

Now had NM been the decision state then President Bush may had done differently. But your premise still stands that President Bush is more honorable, imo.

[KJacob]

"Now had NM been the decision state then President Bush may had done differently."

I would argue that FL became the decision state because of Gore's action. Because of this Bush had to respond. I guess my point is that Bush could have conceivably made NM the decision state if he had acted like Gore. Which of course he wouldn't.

[raloxk]

It doesnt actualyl say who is leading in the state. youd think that given they ask all the other questions, theyd ask "who ya gonna vote for"?

[deport]

I would argue that FL became the decision state because of Gore's action.

---

Agree..... FL was essentially Gore's only state in which to reverse the outcome in the Electoral College... Thus it was the state to contest because of the closeness of the vote count. NH was the next closest for Gore to challenge in which the President won it by some 6,711 votes. So FL was the challenge state for Gore and NM didn't matter because if Bush lost FL and the 25 EC votes then NM and their 5 EC votes made not a whit of difference in the election outcome as to who would become President.

                Bush          Gore     Bush+     Gore+
  
FLORIDA       2,912,790    2,912,253      537
IOWA            634,373      638,517              4,141 
MAINE Dist 2    137,998      143,658              5,660
NEW HAMP        273,559      266,848    6,711
NEW MEXICO      286,417      286,783                366
OREGON          713,577      720,342              6,765
WISCONSIN     1,237,279    1,242,987              5,699

[Coop]

Just checked, and actually Bush was down by one - and I forgot to mention that the poll didn't measure voter intentions but rather fav/unfav ratings of the two. (Which I find kinda curious. Why match them up every way but loose in a poll, then not ask for voter intentions?)