Bay News 9 poll indicates trouble for President Bush

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

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Bush is gearing up for a major ad campaign.
Bay area voters were asked how they would rate President Bush's performance in our latest Bay News 9/970 WFLA exclusive poll.

And with seven months until Election Day, results indicate Bush's approval rating may be slipping.

In September of 2002, more than three-quarters of Bay area voters rated the president's performance either excellent or good.

However, two years later, the president's approval is barely greater than 50 percent.

"I want to point out that no incumbent president has ever lost a job with an approval rating over 50 percent," said Bush/Cheney spokesman Reed Dickens. "And no incumbent president has ever lost the presidency without significant third-party opposition within his own party."

Voters were also asked if political ads have a significant effect on voting decisions. More than half said they have no effect whatsoever.

However, Bay News 9 political analyst and former Florida Governor Bob Martinez said ads are more effective than many think.

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The Kerry campaign will air ads in 17 battleground states.

"A political ad is an ad, and if ads didn't work, there would be no time sold on TV," said Martinez. "There would be no inches bought in newspaper, so clearly advertising does work."

The John Kerry campaign is preparing to launch a major ad campaign, with ads airing in 17 battleground states.

The president is also gearing up to spend millions of dollars on another round of ads in the coming weeks.

PAMC Research of Washington D.C. conducted our exclusive poll, with registered voters from our seven-county area who intend to vote in November being surveyed.