Bush nudging ahead of Kerry

2004-08-27 11:03

Washington - Three US opinion surveys show President George W Bush pulling slightly ahead of John Kerry, his Democratic contender in the November 2 election, but by a small enough margin that both men are still locked in a statistical dead heat.

A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows Bush holding a 47-to-45% edge over the Massachusetts senator, just ahead of the Republican National Convention that begins on August 30 in New York City.

Similarly, a USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll puts Bush in front of Kerry by 50-47% among likely voters, but by only one percentage point, 48-47, among registered voters.

Finally a Los Angeles Times poll found Bush edged out Kerry by 49-to-46%. In a July poll, Bush trailed Kerry by 46-to-48%.

When independent presidential candidate and consumer-rights advocate Ralph Nader was added to the picture, Bush's lead over Kerry narrowed to 48-46% in the USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll, and Wall Street Journal/NBC News, and to 47-44% in the Los Angeles Times poll.

All polls had around a three percent margin of error.

- AFP