Interesting bits...

From a CBS news article -

Despite concerns about his handling of Iraq, and an overall approval rating of 42%, George W. Bush is still running neck and neck with Democrat John Kerry as the choice of registered voters. Growing public optimism about the nation’s economy has helped lift support for the President.

Kerry is the choice of 45% of registered voters, Bush the choice of 44%. This is a sharp turnaround for the Bush campaign in the span of just one month; in May, Kerry had opened up a wide 8-point lead over Bush. The race has been close since April.

KERRY VS. BUSH: CHOICE IN NOVEMBER
(Registered voters)

Now
John Kerry
45%
George Bush
44%

5/2004
John Kerry
49%
George Bush
41%

4/2004
John Kerry
46%
George Bush
44%

As has been the case throughout the campaign, Bush’s backers are best described by their fervor for the President, while Kerry’s supporters are driven more by their dislike of the opposition than by Kerry himself. 56% of Bush’s supporters say they strongly favor Bush, while 32% back him with reservations. Kerry, meanwhile, inspires the strong support of less than one-third of his voters, while 37% are with the Democrat mainly because they dislike George W. Bush.

Recent commercials for both candidates have sought to portray them each as optimistic about the future, and voters have been receptive. 78% say Bush is optimistic, and 70% say this about Kerry. Both are also trusted to keep their word as president.

Bush continues to have an advantage over Kerry on saying what he believes: 58% of voters think Bush says what he believes, compared to just 34% who say the same about Kerry. 55% of voters think Kerry says what people want to hear.

Yet as the campaigns struggle to define themselves and their opponents, neither candidate is seen by voters as sharing their priorities. Only 41% of voters think Bush shares their priorities, and just 42% think Kerry shares their priorities for the country.