NEWSWEEK GENEXT Poll: Presidential Race All Tied Up

Washington, D.C. -- After months in which John Kerry held a narrow but consistent lead among registered voters under age 30, the September Newsweek.com GENEXT Poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs shows that the Bush-Cheney ticket has pulled even with their Democratic challengers. Since the August poll, Bush-Cheney have gained slightly among young voters (+3 percentage points), while Kerry-Edwards have lost support (-5 points). This is the best result we have seen for Bush since polling started in January, while Kerry's support is near the low observed in April-May. [+] click to enlarge Past Polls Kerry enjoyed a significant lead among young registered voters in June, July and August. [+] click to enlarge Foreign Policy And War On Terrorism Despite the upward tick in support for Bush-Cheney, this month's results show a sharp rise in disapproval of Bush's handling of foreign policy issues and the war on terrorism (58% disapprove, 44% last month). [+] click to enlarge Who's Better, Bush or Kerry? Bush is rated as better on protecting the country and dealing with crime, while Kerry outscores Bush on health insurance, college affordability, inspiring young people to get involved in the community, and creating new jobs. In the overall vote and on the issue of domestic violence, the leading candidates are in a dead heat. Nationally among likely voters, Nader's support has dropped to just 1% or 2%, but he continues to win 6% of the vote among young registered voters in this poll--and 14% of these young voters say Nader is best at inspiring community involvement. [+] click to enlarge The two candidates are also essentially tied on the important question of who's more fun--41% say Kerry and 39% Bush, with 10% selecting the dour Ralph Nader as the most fun, one of Nader's best showings in the poll. Women, young voters under age 26, non-whites, and those in the Northeast think Kerry sounds more fun. Men, voters age 26-29, whites, and those outside Kerry's home region of the Northeast tend to find Bush more their style when it comes to fun. [+] click to enlarge Among these younger registered voters, those who are married with kids, who endorse the direction the country is taking, and who earn $50,000 or more a year like Bush's style of fun. Those with doubts about the direction the country is taking, and those with no kids prefer Kerry. [+] click to enlarge The Newsweek.com/GENEXT Poll is conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs. Between September 7-22, 2004, Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 354 registered voters age 18 to 29. The margin of error is +/- 5.0 percent. Comparative results for all registered voters contained in this report are from The Associated Press/Ipsos Poll conducted between September 20-22, 2004 of 1,302 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7. Read the Newsweek.com Web Exclusive Report by Brian Braiker. Download the Topline Results for this survey at the top of this page. For more information on this press release, please contact: Janice Bell Director, Ipsos Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 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 Francisco, 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. 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