In the polls

Published March 17, 2004 8:57PM (EST)

A new poll shows just how much of a battleground Pennsylvania is this year, and suggests Ralph Nader could hurt John Kerry there. The Quinnipiac poll has Bush at 44, Kerry 40 and Nader 7. In a one-on-one race Kerry beats Bush (within the margin of error): 45 to 44.

The pollsters say Pennsylvania will likely hinge on three factors: the Philadelphia suburbs, independent voters and young people. "In these three groups  Ralph Nader is polling in double digits, stealing votes Kerry will need to carry Pennsylvania," the pollster said. A quarter of Pennsylvania voters said they haven't made up their minds yet.

A new Gallup poll shows Americans as a generally discontented lot. Only four in 10 Americans said they were satisfied with the way things are going -- the lowest since last March, when we were officially at war, and among the lowest of Bush's tenure. Weighing on America's mind: The economy and national security concerns.


By Geraldine Sealey

Geraldine Sealey is senior news editor at Salon.com.

MORE FROM Geraldine Sealey


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