Michigan voters cool off on Bush, war (Bush: 44, Kerry 40)

[TheStateChief]

http://www.detnews.com/2004/politics/0405/16/a01-154352.htm

WASHINGTON — Revelations about the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners have rattled Michigan voters and apparently contributed to a sharp decline in support for President Bush’s handling of the war and his general popularity in the state, according to a Detroit News poll.

Michiganians don’t hold Bush personally responsible for the abuse of prisoners. But roughly one-fourth of those surveyed last week said they are less likely to vote for Bush in light of the disclosures.

And the president’s overall popularity slumped. Fifty percent of those surveyed said they view Bush favorably, down from 63 percent in a News poll conducted in January.

Despite weeks of bad war news — including a rising casualty toll and increasing criticism of the administration’s management of the war from Democrats in Congress — the presidential race in Michigan remains a toss-up.

[shraby]

1. This is hard to believe

in light of the job losses in Michigan!!

[TruthIsAll]

10. Its a Bushit poll. Gore won MI by 5%.

.

[leyton]

2. Yeah. That doesn't look too promising.

We need Michigan's electoral votes.

Although of course, we're still six months out. There's time, I guess. If we lose Michigan, we're in a lot of trouble anyway.

[TheFarseer]

3. a bit confused

does that mean they favor bush over kerry for handling the war or overall? I certainly looks like overall, but I thought it was assumed Kerry was winning Michigan. that's why i wonder

[gristy]

4. This makes no sense at all

Michigan voted for Gore over Bush, 52% to 48%. :wtf:

[west michigan]

5. No way worried about MI

New Dem guv in 2002. We will deliver.

[fujiyama]

6. Same here

This is the first poll I've seen that shows Bush ahead and frankly I'm not trusting anything that comes from the right wing Detroit News.

Kerry will win this state by atleast 3-5 points.

[i_c_a_White_Ghost]

7. that can't be

makes no sense :wtf:

[i_c_a_White_Ghost]

8. Get this~! 413 likely voters, margin of error +-5

[MAlibdem]

9. Wait, is that breakdown for President or for handling Iraq?

[Lefty48197]

11. Bush has already lost Michigan this year, just like he lost in 2000

We voted against Bush Jr. when the economy was good. Toss in the right wing raid on the American cookie jar, the exodus of jobs overseas (led by Michigan jobs above all other), and the growing imbroglio in the middle-east and you have a recipe for a Kerry landslide in Michigan. It's time to start trying to parlay that into legislative gains in Washington and Lansing.

[Lefty Pragmatist]

12. Union muscle will (well, better) deliver Michigan...

...just like last time. I worry about OH and WI, not MI.

MI for us is MO for them. If national trends reduce the margin to even a 3 point loss, the election's over.

[WI_DEM]

13. so we are six points ahead in Ohio but four points behind in Mi?

weird. I think polls this early are pretty inconclusive.

[David Dunham]

14. Kerry will win Michigan

[GOPBasher]

15. Michigan is a must for us. I hope the unions pull it through.