Kerry edges Bush in poll of state voters

Democratic candidate has bigger lead in Portland: 56-38 percent

By Don Hamilton

The Portland Tribune, May 4, 2004, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Sen. John Kerry holds a slight lead over President George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential race among Oregon voters, according to a new poll conducted for the Portland Tribune and KOIN (6).

The poll showed the Massachusetts Democrat leading Bush 48 percent to 46 percent. Another 6 percent of the respondents described themselves as undecided.

The results confirm what both major parties have been saying in recent months: Oregon will be a battleground state in the Nov. 2 election.

“It’s good news-bad news for both candidates,” said Del Ali, whose company, Research 2000 of Rockville, Md., conducted the poll. “It’s good news for Kerry because he can say he’s still ahead after not getting very good press recently. And Bush can say he’s doing well in a traditionally Democratic state.”

The poll also showed Oregonians are uneasy about U.S. efforts in Iraq:

• Fifty-two percent said the situation in Iraq was worth going to war over, while 45 percent said it was not worth it, and 3 percent were unsure.

• Forty-four percent of respondents said the Iraqi war made the United States safer from terrorism; 43 percent said the country is less safe.

• Fifty-six percent of Oregonians think that the war has damaged the nation’s image around the world.

• By 54 percent to 34 percent, Oregonians don’t think the war will lead to peace and a stable Iraqi government.

How is the president doing?

Uncertainty about the war seems to have affected the job ratings that Oregonians give the president and their feelings about the 2004 race.

• Forty-seven percent of Oregonians think Bush is doing an excellent or good job, while 51 percent graded him fair or poor. In the Portland area, 38 percent of respondents graded him good or excellent, while 61 percent considered him fair or poor.

• Bush led Kerry among statewide voters ages 44 and under, with Kerry leading among those 45 and older.

• Voters in the Portland area supported Kerry 56 percent to 38 percent.

• Unaffiliated Oregon voters support Kerry 51 percent to 39 percent, which Ali said could be bad news for the president.

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