Sunday, July 4, 2004

Mood of Michigan

Kerry, Bush in dead heat

Detroit News Lansing Bureau

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President George W. Bush and Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry are in a virtual tie among likely voters four months before the election, a Detroit News poll shows.

Bush was favored by 44 percent of those polled, compared with 43 percent for Kerry in the survey conducted June 24-30. That’s well within the survey’s 5 percentage point margin of error. Third party candidate Ralph Nader drew 5 percent.

Nationally, Michigan is one of 17 swing states both men are expected to focus on this summer and fall.

“The race in Michigan will be closer this year than it was in 2000 (when Al Gore edged Bush 51-46),” News pollster Steve Mitchell said. “Michigan could well determine who the next president is.”