National Poll
Campaign 2004: Hit and
Miss
Contact: Dr. Lee M. Miringoff
Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho
Marist College
845.575.5050
This Marist College Institute for Public Opinion poll reports:
· Taking the low road: Many Americans view the 2004 presidential campaign as too negative. 58% say the presidential candidates have spent more time attacking each other rather than speaking about the issues. Only 28% think President Bush and Senator Kerry are focusing more on the issues.[1]
Question Wording: Do you feel that the candidates for president have spent more time talking about their positions on issues or attacking each other?
April 2004 |
Talking Issues |
Attacking |
Unsure |
|
Americans |
28% |
58% |
14% |
|
Battleground states |
24% |
61% |
15% |
|
Registered voters |
30% |
59% |
11% |
|
Democrats |
30% |
63% |
7% |
|
Republicans |
31% |
53% |
16% |
|
Independents |
26% |
59% |
15% |
|
Bush
supporters |
31% |
53% |
16% |
|
Kerry
supporters |
31% |
64% |
5% |
|
Undecided |
16% |
65% |
19% |
·
What Americans want to hear: Domestic issues such as health care and
education are what many Americans want to hear about in the presidential
campaign. Jobs and the economy are
next, followed by homeland security, the war against terrorism, and the situation
in Iraq.
Question Wording: Which of the following issues are you most interested in hearing about during the presidential campaign:
|
April 2004 |
Domestic Issues |
Jobs & Economy |
Homeland Security |
War on Terrorism |
Situation in Iraq |
Unsure |
|
Americans |
35% |
26% |
15% |
13% |
8% |
3% |
|
Battleground states |
36% |
26% |
13% |
11% |
8% |
6% |
|
Registered voters |
33% |
27% |
14% |
15% |
8% |
3% |
|
Democrats |
37% |
31% |
7% |
11% |
10% |
4% |
|
Republicans |
27% |
24% |
18% |
23% |
6% |
2% |
|
Independents |
40% |
24% |
17% |
8% |
8% |
3% |
|
Bush supporters |
23% |
23% |
19% |
24% |
8% |
3% |
|
Kerry
supporters |
46% |
30% |
9% |
5% |
8% |
2% |
|
Undecided |
27% |
35% |
9% |
14% |
6% |
9% |
· What Americans are getting from the campaigns: 56% of Americans think the presidential candidates are not talking enough about the issues that are most important. Americans who place domestic issues such as health care and education or jobs and the economy at the top of their list of concerns, 61%, are feeling particularly short-changed. In contrast, many people who believe homeland security or the war on terrorism is most important feel the presidential candidates have addressed their concerns. Nearly half of the Americans who see the situation in Iraq as a top priority think the attention given to this issue in the presidential campaign is about right.
Question Wording: Do you feel the candidates for president are talking about (issue most important) too much, too little, or about the right amount?
April 2004 |
Too Much |
Too Little |
About Right |
|
Americans |
4% |
56% |
40% |
|
Battleground states |
3% |
63% |
34% |
|
Issue most important |
|
|
|
|
Domestic
issues |
1% |
75% |
24% |
|
Jobs/Economy |
1% |
68% |
31% |
|
Homeland
security |
4% |
37% |
59% |
|
War on
terrorism |
6% |
21% |
73% |
|
Situation
in Iraq |
23% |
30% |
47% |
|
Registered voters |
5% |
54% |
41% |
|
Democrats |
5% |
63% |
32% |
|
Republicans |
2% |
45% |
53% |
|
Independents |
4% |
61% |
35% |
|
Bush
supporters |
6% |
44% |
50% |
|
Kerry
supporters |
3% |
63% |
34% |
|
Undecided |
4% |
72% |
24% |
· Most Americans think there’s a lot at stake in this presidential election: 82% of Americans think it matters whether George Bush or John Kerry takes the oath of office next January, with 66% saying it matters a great deal.
Question Wording: Do you think it matters a great deal, somewhat, not too much, or not at all whether George Bush or John Kerry wins the presidential election this year?
April 2004 |
A Great Deal |
Somewhat |
Not Too Much |
Not at all |
|
Americans |
66% |
16% |
9% |
9% |
|
Battleground states |
63% |
15% |
11% |
11% |
|
Registered voters |
70% |
16% |
8% |
6% |
|
Democrats |
71% |
16% |
10% |
3% |
|
Republicans |
78% |
15% |
3% |
4% |
|
Independents |
55% |
18% |
13% |
14% |
|
Bush supporters |
72% |
19% |
6% |
3% |
|
Kerry
supporters |
76% |
12% |
9% |
3% |
|
Undecided |
32% |
27% |
14% |
27% |
· Americans are paying attention: 59% say they are following the Bush-Kerry match-up closely. 41% are not paying a lot of attention to the candidates.
Question Wording: Would you say that you are following the presidential campaign very closely, closely, not very closely, or not at all?
April 2004 |
Very Closely |
Closely |
Not Very Closely |
Not Closely at all |
|
Americans |
16% |
43% |
28% |
13% |
|
Battleground states |
18% |
40% |
27% |
15% |
|
Registered voters |
20% |
47% |
26% |
7% |
|
Democrats |
16% |
50% |
25% |
9% |
|
Republicans |
25% |
47% |
22% |
6% |
|
Independents |
11% |
37% |
34% |
18% |