Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Election Outcome Finds Americans Relieved, Or Disappointed

November 15, 2004
Abstract: (CPOD) Nov. 15, 2004 - The 2004 United States presidential election generated different feelings for American voters, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 90 per cent of respondents who voted for Republican incumbent George W. Bush say they feel "relieved" and "reassured" over the election's outcome.

(CPOD) Nov. 15, 2004 - The 2004 United States presidential election generated different feelings for American voters, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 90 per cent of respondents who voted for Republican incumbent George W. Bush say they feel "relieved" and "reassured" over the election's outcome.

In contrast, 82 per cent of respondents who voted for Democratic nominee John Kerry feel "disappointed" and 71 per cent are "worried."

In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. Earlier this month, Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states.

On Nov. 4, Bush presented the agenda for his second term, saying, "I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it." The president mentioned topics such as social security, tax reform, economic measures, education and the war on terrorism as key concerns for his administration.

Bush will be sworn in for his second four-year term on Jan. 20, 2005.

Polling Data

How do you feel about George W. Bush winning the election? Do you feel...
(Bush voters)

 

Yes

No

Relieved

90%

10%

Reassured

90%

9%

Safer

88%

9%

Excited

64%

34%

How do you feel about George W. Bush winning the election? Do you feel...
(Kerry voters)

 

Yes

No

Disappointed

82%

17%

Worried

71%

28%

Angry

33%

66%

Depressed

26%

72%

Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates / Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
Methodology: Telephone re-interviews to 1,209 Americans who voted in the 2004 election, conducted from Nov. 5 to Nov. 8, 2004. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.