AP/Ipsos Poll: Voters Express Satisfaction With The Two Major Candidates For President

WASHINGTON, DC, (AP) -- Two-in-three voters perceive President George W. Bush as decisive, while fewer than half feel Senator John Kerry fits that bill. On the other side of the same coin, however, most also see Bush as arrogant, and fewer than half feel that way about Kerry.

Four-in-five voters (83%) rate Kerry as intelligent. That characteristic defines perceptions of Kerry. A large majority of voters (63%) also rate Bush as intelligent. Bush is not considered lacking in the quality -- Kerry is just associated with the quality in the minds of a much larger majority of voters.

Both Bush and Kerry get credit for being likeable, compassionate -- and almost universally, both are perceived as wealthy.

The following table shows the percentage who say each characteristic defines Bush and Kerry.

Q. Now I'm going to read you some words that might be used to describe a person. As I read each word, please tell me whether you think the word describes George W. Bush, or not. Now, please tell me whether you think the following words describe John Kerry, or not.

The Associated Press Poll is conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs. Between July 5-7, 2004, the AP/Ipsos poll interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 adults nationwide, including 804 registered voters. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 for all adults, +/- 3.5 for registered voters. Margin of error for subgroups may be higher.

For more information on this release, please contact: Janice Bell Director, Washington Office Ipsos Public Affairs 202.463.7300

About Ipsos Public Affairs Ipsos Public Affairs, headquartered in Washington D.C., is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research company made up of campaign and political polling veterans as well as seasoned research professionals. The company conducts strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research but often elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research. It has offices in New York City, Chicago, San Ramon (CA), and Washington, with affiliates around the world. Ipsos Public Affairs conducts national and international public opinion polling on behalf of The Associated Press, the world's oldest and largest news organization, and conducts the young voters poll for Newsweek.com. Ipsos Public Affairs is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, visit: www.ipsos-na.com/news/pa

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and reactions of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world. Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting and modeling and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2003, Ipsos generated global revenues of $644.2 million U.S. To learn more, visit: www.ipsos.com Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris Premier Marchй, and is part of the SBF 120 and Next Prime Indices as well as eligible to the Deferred Settlement System (SRD). Euroclear code 7329, Reuters ISOS.LN, Bloomberg IPS FP