Quinnipiac National Polls for September 17, 2003

Bush Approval Levels Off

Economy Is Big Concern

Dem Voters Like Hillary, Not Gore

Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Quinnipiac University Polling Institute

National Polls

When the Democratic party nominates its Presidential candidate, which quality do you think should be more important the candidate's ability to defeat George W. Bush or the candidate's views on the issues?

Ability to defeat Bush - 23%

Views on issues - 72%

DK/NA - 5%

QUPI
President George W. Bush is cruising along with a 53 - 39 percent approval rating and a comfortable lead over any likely Democratic challenger -- including New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. This compares to President Bush's 53 - 41 percent approval rating in a July 24 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In an early look at the '04 Presidential race, Bush tops all comers:

* 53 - 41 percent over Gore

* 52 - 42 percent over Sen. Clinton

* 52 - 41 percent over Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman

* 53 - 38 percent of Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry

* 51 - 39 percent over Missouri Congressman Richard Gephardt

* 53 - 38 percent over former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean

But American voters say 67 -- 22 that the economy will matter more than Iraq in deciding how they vote for President. Voters disapprove 50 -- 44 percent of the way Bush is handling the economy and say, 49 -- 42 percent, that a Democratic administration will do a better job on the economy.

"Despite all the inside-the-Beltway chatter, the nation's voters still pick President Bush over any of the Democrats, as the President's approval holds steady," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"On issues, however, Bush faces the same problem that eventually beat his father in 1992. Far more voters say pocketbook issues -- not Iraq -- will sway their vote. And the economy is where the President and the Republicans get low marks," Carroll said.

Going to war in Iraq was the right thing to do, American voters say 58 -- 37 percent. But they split 47 -- 47 percent on Bush's proposal to spend $87 billion in Iraq.

Approval of Bush's handling of specific issues is:

* 49 - 44 percent approval for foreign policy

* 56 - 38 percent approval for handling terrorism overseas

* 67 - 27 percent approval for handling terrorism at home

* 51 - 43 percent approval for handling the situation in Iraq

* 41 - 39 percent approval for handling the situation with Israel and the Palestinians

(More: Quinnipiac.edu Polling Institute)

2003 © Quinnipiac University.

Dan