Poll: Majority of Americans accept Bush as legitimate president

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An overwhelming majority of Americans -- 80 percent -- are prepared to accept Texas Gov. George W. Bush as the legitimate president, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll conducted today. This comes on the heels of last night's historic Supreme Court decision effectively ending the thirty-six day presidential election stalemate between Bush and Vice president Al Gore.

The poll also provides the first glimpse into the public's attitude toward the court and its ruling.

The survey of 633 adult Americans was conducted December 13 and has a 4 point margin of error. The poll questioned all adults, whether registered voters, actual voters or none of the above. All interviews were conducted before Vice President Gore and President-elect Bush's televised speeches Wednesday night.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
December 13

If George W. Bush is declared the winner and is inaugurated next January, would you accept him as the legitimate president, or not?

Yes      80%

No       18

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
December 13

Do you agree or disagree with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision?

Agree       52%

Disagree    42

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
December 13

Do you think the U.S. Supreme Court was fair or unfair in deciding this case?

Fair       54%

Unfair     38

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
December 13

Do you think the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court who voted to end the recount in Florida did so mostly based on the legal merits of the case or mostly based on their own desire to have Bush as the next president?

Legal merits of case      54%

Desire to see Bush win    35

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
December 13

Does this decision make you lose confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, or does it not have an effect on your view of the Court?

Lose confidence      30%

No effect            66

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
December 13

Which of the following best describes your feelings about the fact that George W. Bush will be the next president -- thrilled, pleased, disappointed, or angry?

Thrilled        15%

Pleased         33

Disappointed    34

Angry           11

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
December 13

In his speech tonight, Al Gore is likely to accept the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court and acknowledge that George W. Bush will be the next president, even though Gore believes he got more votes in Florida. Do you think Gore should concede that he lost, or should he withdraw from the race without conceding?

Concede that he lost                59%

Withdraw without conceding          32

Sampling error: +/-4% pts