But how does CNN headline its story? Bush approval hits new lows in poll. And Reuters: Poll: Bush Job Rating Dips, Support for War Down.
Buried in the story, is the following:
Bush's decline did not produce new support for Democratic candidate John Kerry among likely voters. In a hypothetical matchup, Kerry fell 2 points since last week — from 49% to 47% — and remained in a dead heat with Bush, who was steady at 48%.Bush's approval levels have hovered in this general range since early February, but the press is blowing it up now in the hope of creating a bandwagon effect. The real story, is that Kerry is making absolutely no head way,and his unfavorable ratings have risen steadily since February.
Likely voters also gave Bush an edge in 16 states that were close in 2000. The poll shows Bush leading Kerry, 51%-46%. They were tied at 49% in mid-April. The states are Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.
The Composite Poll is delayed and will be out tomorrow (or tonight). Not much change.
