Poll: Bush holds steady lead over Gore

June 26, 2000
Web posted at: 5:17 p.m. EDT (2117 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush continues to hold a steady lead over Vice President Al Gore in the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup presidential preference poll, with strength among independent voters a key factor in Bush's support.

Bush, the likely Republican presidential nominee, leads Gore, the likely Democratic nominee, 52 percent to 39 percent among likely voters in a head-to-head match-up, according to the poll. When third party candidates are added, Bush leads 50 percent to 38 percent.

The poll is based on interviews with 1,020 adult Americans, including 560 likely voters, between June 23 and 25. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.

The new poll indicates Bush has strong and growing support among independents. The poll indicates Bush has the support of 54 percent of independent likely voters, compared to 29 percent for Gore. That is a strong jump over a poll conducted June 6 and 7, which gave Gore a 37-36 edge over Bush among independents.

The poll also indicates that Americans are little changed in their support of the death penalty, despite controversies involving the application of capital punishment in Bush's home state. However, support for the penalty remains at its lowest point in nearly 20 years, and the survey indicates Bush's handling of the capital punishment issue will have no effect on the votes of 68 percent of Americans.

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll June 23-25

If Al Gore were the Democratic Party's candidate and George W. Bush were the Republicans Party's candidate, who would you be more likely to vote for?

        Now June 6-7

Bush    52% 48%
Gore    39  44

Sampling error: +/-5% pts

Suppose the presidential election were being held today, and it included Al Gore as the Democratic candidate, George W. Bush as the Republican candidate, Pat Buchanan as the Reform Party candidate, and Ralph Nader as the Green Party candidate. Who would you vote for?

            Now     June 6-7
            
Bush        50%     46%
Gore        38      41
Nader       6       6
Buchanan    2       2

Sampling error: +/-5% pts

(Democrats only) Would you like to see the Democratic convention select Al Gore, or select some other person to be the Democratic candidate for president?

Gore       63%
Other      25

Sampling error: +/-5% pts

(Republicans only) Would you like to see the Republican convention select George W. Bush, or select some other person to be the Republican candidate for president?

Bush       80%
Other      15

Which of the following statements best describes your view of Al Gore's fund-raising activities -- (1) Gore did something illegal (2) Gore did something unethical but nothing illegal (3) Gore did not do anything seriously wrong?

Illegal          17%
Unethical        34
Nothing wrong    23

Sampling error: +/-3% pts

Do you think Attorney General Janet Reno should or should not appoint a special counsel to investigate the fundraising matters involving Al Gore? Do you feel strongly or not strongly about this?

Favor strongly       31%
Favor somewhat       16
Oppose somewhat      14
Oppose strongly      28
No opinion           11

Sampling error: +/-3% pts

If Attorney General Janet Reno decides NOT to appoint a special counsel to investigate the fundraising practices of Al Gore, which of the following do you think will be the main reason for her decision -- (1) Because she does not think it was necessary based on all the facts (2) Because she is trying to protect Vice President Gore

Based on the facts    53%
To protect Gore       35

Sampling error: +/-3% pts

Allegations About Gore's Fundraising in 1996

Relevant        42%
Not relevant    50

Sampling error: +/-3% pts

DEATH PENALTY:

Are you in favor of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder?

Favor      66%
Oppose     26

Sampling error: +/-3% pts

Generally speaking, do you believe the death penalty is applied fairly or unfairly in this country today?

Fairly      51%
Unfairly    41

Sampling error: +/-3% pts

Whose position on death penalty is closest to yours?

Bush      34%
Gore      23

Sampling error: +/-3% pts

Based on what you have heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of how George W. Bush has handled death penalty cases as governor of Texas?

Approve      49%
Disapprove   30
Unsure       21

Sampling error: +/-3% pts

And does the way Bush has handled the death penalty in Texas make you more likely to vote for him for president, less likely to vote for him, or will it have no effect on your vote?

More likely to vote for him   10%
Less likely to vote for him   18
No difference                 68

Sampling error: +/-3% pts