Polls Show Dole Gaining In PopularityWASHINGTON (AllPolitics, May 18) -- Bob Dole's decision to resign from the Senate may have given a boost to his campaign, according to a CNN/Time poll taken after Dole announced he would be stepping down to focus on presidential politics. For the first time in over a year, more than 50 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Dole, according to the poll of 1,009 adults, including 808 registered voters, conducted May 15 and 16. Dole's 51 percent favorable rating is eight percentage points higher than it was in February but lags behind Clinton's favorable rating by nine points. The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus three percentage points. Dole's pride rating swellsForty-six percent of Americans now say that Dole is someone they would be proud to have as president. A week ago, only 41 percent said they would be proud to have Dole as president. Again, Dole's Democratic rival came out ahead in this measure, with 54 percent of those polled saying they are proud to have Clinton as president. Clinton's approval jumped five points in the week before the poll was conducted, to 56 percent. It is one of his highest ratings during his presidency, second only to his standing after the Oklahoma City bombing. Dole exiting on high noteWith the end of Dole's 35-year tenure in Congress in sight, a majority of the public says he was a good or great U.S. Senator. Nine percent say he was one of the greatest senators in history; an additional 46 percent say he was good but not great. Dole is leaving the Senate at a time when the public has soured on Republican control of Congress. Last spring, at the end of the "Hundred Days" period that marked the start of the GOP era on Capitol Hill, 58 percent of the public said that the Republican Congress had done a good job. This week only 30 percent said they feel that way. Slightly more Americans (42 percent versus 38 percent) have a favorable view of the Democrats in Congress than they do of the Republicans in Congress. Nonetheless, slightly more Americans (36 percent versus 33 percent) blame Clinton for the current gridlock in Washington than blame Dole. Related Stories:
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