April 25, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Apr. 25, 2004 - Voters in the United States believe either of the two top presidential candidates would do well in financial matters, according to a poll by ABC News and the Washington Post. 47 per cent of respondents trust either Republican incumbent George W. Bush or prospective Democratic nominee John Kerry to do a good job in handling the economy.

(CPOD) Apr. 25, 2004 - Voters in the United States believe either of the two top presidential candidates would do well in financial matters, according to a poll by ABC News and the Washington Post. 47 per cent of respondents trust either Republican incumbent George W. Bush or prospective Democratic nominee John Kerry to do a good job in handling the economy.

President Bush gets higher marks on five other themes. At least 49 per cent of respondents say the Republican incumbent would fare better in dealing with education, taxes, same-sex marriage, the situation in Iraq and the campaign against terrorism.

Massachusetts senator Kerry would be the best candidate to deal with five campaign issues. At least 45 per cent of respondents believe the prospective Democratic nominee would do a better job in the areas of prescription drug benefits, health insurance, social security, the federal budget deficit and job creation.

The election is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Polling Data

Which of the two candidates do you trust to do a better job handling the following issues, George W. Bush or John Kerry?

	Bush (R)	Kerry (D)
The U.S. campaign against terrorism	58%	37%
The situation in Iraq	52%	41%
The issue of same-sex marriage	51%	35%
Taxes	49%	43%
Education	47%	44%
The economy	47%	47%
Creating jobs	46%	48%
The federal budget deficit	45%	46%
Social Security	42%	46%
The cost, availability and coverage of health insurance	42%	48%
Prescription drug benefits for the elderly	42%	45%

Source: ABC News / The Washington Post
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,201 American adults, conducted from Apr. 15 to Apr. 18, 2004. Margin of error is 3 per cent.