AP Poll: Kerry Solidifies Base

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Democrat John Kerry has solidified his base, gained some ground in the South and among lower income voters and seen independent Ralph Nader's support drop, according to an Associated Press poll.

Still, Kerry is slightly behind President Bush in the AP-Ipsos poll that found voters increasingly confident about the economy just as Kerry picked his running mate.
The addition of Sen. John Edwards to the ticket appears to have helped Kerry in some ways the four-term Massachusetts senator had hoped for when he selected the North Carolina populist over more seasoned politicians.

``I'm more impressed with Kerry now that he chose Edwards,'' said Republican voter Robin Smith, 45, a teacher from Summerville, S.C. ``I look at Kerry and I don't trust him, but he's got Edwards, who's more middle-of-the-road, a strong speaker, more able to reach the common man


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Presidential-AP-Poll.html