Two surveys released Thursday put the Bush-Kerry presidential race back at even, reversing weeks of polling that showed President Bush pulling ahead after the Republican National Convention.
The Pew Research Center found the candidates tied at 46 percent among registered voters after Kerry had trailed by 12 points in early September. A Harris Interactive poll gave Kerry a 48 to 47 percent edge among likely voters. A Gallup survey taken 13-15 September broke the other way, placing Bush ahead 55 to 42 percent, which Gallup described as a significant improvement from his pre-convention position.
Bush still held commanding leads on Iraq management and terrorism, with Pew showing him ahead nearly two-to-one on combating terrorism. Kerry led on the economy by six points, though that margin had shrunk from 15 points in August.
Both candidates focused on Iraq on the campaign trail. Bush, speaking in Minnesota, defended the 2003 invasion and accused Kerry of sending contradictory signals that undermined American credibility. Kerry addressed the National Guard Association in Las Vegas, citing a classified intelligence assessment prepared for Bush in late July that had already forecast serious trouble in Iraq.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in September 2004, in its own words.