this is a bit shocking. It's been nearly 7 months since Sep. 11th plunged America into crisis and the country rallied around President Bush. You'd think his poll numbers would have settled back down to earth by now. On the contrary, it appears that large numbers of Americans believe the world has changed forever, we have a permanent need for enhanced national security, and they deeply appreciate Bush's strong leadership, and forgive him whatever flaws or weaknesses he shows at times.

Mahoney Strimple Goncharenko 2004 presidential poll of voters in 13 "battleground" states (Florida, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin):

President George W. Bush (R) 65%, Al Gore (D) 25%.

Bush (R) 63%, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D) 20%.