October 25, 1999
Web posted at: 6:25 p.m. EDT (2225 GMT)

WASHINGTON -- Vice President Al Gore appears to have slightly increased his support against both former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley and Texas Gov. George W. Bush in the past two weeks, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll.

In a poll taken October 8-10, Bush had a 56 percent to 40 percent advantage over Gore. In the latest poll, Bush's margin has dropped to 52 percent to 43 percent. Gore has gained six points since his low point in September, when only 37 percent of all Americans chose him over Bush, and Gore has not had this much support -- or for Bush this little support -- since February.

Even more significantly, Gore has increased his support among Democrats for the party's nomination. Two weeks ago, Gore was the choice of a bare majority of Democrats nationwide but his today his support has risen to 57 percent, while Bradley's support has dropped seven points.

Gore has gained ground, in part, among men, younger voters, and higher-income Democrats. Gore has also gained ground not by driving his opponents' negatives up but by increasing his own favorable rating nationwide.

The real significance of the results are not that Bush's lead is now in single digits, but that Gore has increased his support in October after steadily dropping in September, and that Gore's support is higher now than it has been since February.

The poll was conducted via interviews with 1,005 adult Americans on October 21-24, 1999. The sampling margin of error is noted after each question.

If Vice President Al Gore were the Democratic Party's candidate and Texas Gov. George W. Bush were the Republican Party's candidate, who would you be more likely to vote for: Al Gore, the Democrat, or George W. Bush, the Republican?

Next, I'm going to read you a list of people who may be running in the Democratic primary for president in the next election. After I read all the names, please tell me which of those candidates you would be most likely to support for the Democratic nomination for president in the year 2000: former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley or Vice President Al Gore?

If former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley were the Democratic Party's candidate and Texas Gov. George W. Bush were the Republican Party's candidate, who would you be more likely to vote for: Bill Bradley, the Democrat, or George W. Bush, the Republican?

Next, we'd like to get your opinion of some people in the news. As I read each name, please say if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of this person or if you have never heard of him or her. First, How about Al Gore?

In the race for the Democratic nomination, the big story is Gore's 13-point gain among Democratic men. Nearly all of his newfound advantage over Bradley has come from male Democrats. Female Democrats are equally supportive of Gore but have not increased their support for him. Gore's jump in support is also due largely to gains among Democrats who make more than $50,000 a year.

Monday, October 25, 1999

• Buchanan announces switch to Reform Party
• Poll: Gore appears to have slightly increased support against Bradley, Bush
• Rhode Island's Sen. Chafee dies at 77
• Poll: GOP divided over Buchanan's departure
• Buchanan, Trump could battle for Reform nomination
• Trump officially joins Reform Party
• Buchanan cites reasons for seeking Reform Party nomination
• Missouri governor apologizes for 1960 blackface skit
• Study: Reporting on female candidates more personality-driven
• Clinton speech draws battle lines over Medicare drug benefit
• Overhaul of banking laws still faces challenge on privacy
• Mayor warming up to minimum-wage increase
• WASHINGTON YESTERDAY: Harry Truman guts the White House
• Clinton to sign defense bill, spokesman says

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