May 27, 2003

(CPOD) May 27, 2003 - The ruling Republican Party leads the Democrats in the United States, 18 months prior to the next presidential election, according to a poll by CBS News and the New York Times. More than half of all respondents have a favourable view of the Republicans, and believe the party has a clear plan for the country.

When assessing both political organizations on their approach to issues, the Republicans get high marks in dealing with the military and terrorism. The Democrats lead public opinion in environment, health care, jobs, education and tax proposals. Both parties are virtually tied in economic matters.

Despite the Democratic lead in several topics, most Americans are unaware of the party's presidential hopefuls. 66 per cent of respondents could not recall a single prospective candidate.

Polling Data

Do you have a favourable view of the Republican / Democratic party?
(Percentage who have a favourable view, respondents
were not asked to choose one party over the other)

	May 2003	Jan. 2003	Oct. 2002
Republican Party	53%	50%	54%
Democratic Party	46%	52%	46%

What party has a clear plan for the country?

	May 2003	Nov. 2002
Republican Party	53%	46%
Democratic Party	40%	31%

What party is better for dealing with the following issues?

	Rep.	Dem.
Making sure the military is strong	66%	19%
Making the right decisions on terrorism	58%	18%
Protecting the environment	23%	60%
Making prescriptions drugs affordable	26%	57%
Creating new jobs	32%	54%
Improving the health care system	29%	51%
Making sure the tax system is fair	36%	46%
Improving education	38%	44%
Ensuring a strong economy	42%	41%

Can you name any Democratic presidential candidate?
(All respondents and Democrat supporters)

	All	Dem.
No, cannot recall any	66%	64%
Joe Lieberman	9%	10%
John Kerry	6%	5%
Dick Gephardt	6%	5%
Bob Graham	3%	2%
John Edwards	2%	4%
Al Sharpton	1%	4%
Others	4%	5%

Source: CBS News / New York Times
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 910 American adults, conducted from May 9 to May 12, 2003. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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