VOTER INDIFFERENCE MAY HURT GORE MORE THAN BUSH
Many American voters are not convinced it makes a big difference who is elected
president, are not
paying close attention to the campaigns, and are not that worried about the
nation's
condition, a
voter survey says.
Voter Indifference May Hurt Gore
Jul 15, 2000 11:47 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) - Many American voters are not
convinced it makes a big difference who is
elected president, are not paying close attention
to the campaigns, and are not that worried about
the nation's condition, a voter survey says.
That climate could be good for likely Republican
nominee George W. Bush, analysts say. His base
voters are more enthusiastic, he is viewed as
personally likable and he is working to blur
distinctions between himself and Democrat Al
Gore.
It could be tougher for Vice President Gore, who
believes he holds the upper hand on top issues.
Analyst Stephen Hess suggested that vice
presidents do not always get credit for a
nation's good times, and polls indicate Bush and
Gore are seen about equally capable on the
economy.
``To the extent people believe there are no
important differences between Bush and Gore and
see only small stakes in the outcome of the
election, then Bush has the advantage,'' said Tom
Mann, a political analyst at the Brookings
Institution, who reviewed the poll on voters'
mood.
``This is based on what people see now as Bush's
more attractive personal style, and a natural
desire for some change after eight years,'' he
said.
Gore is working to convince voters there are
significant issue differences between the two
candidates. But it is tough getting their
attention.
``This slate of candidates, combined with the
times have put (voters) into a pleasant sleep,''
said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research
Center for the People and the Press, which
conducted the poll in mid-June. ``This has been a
front-loaded campaign. This may reflect that.''
Bush was generally perceived more positively on
personal qualities in this and other polls. Gore
was favored on several issues that are near the
top of voters' concerns: health care, Social
Security, strengthening families and Medicare.
The two candidates are close on issues like
taxes, education, gun control and the economy.
While the party in power often gets credit for a
good economy, that credit more often goes to the
president, said Hess, a presidential scholar who
moderated a panel on the poll Friday.
``What you're seeing is just the normal and
realistic difference in being president and vice
president,'' Hess said.
Fewer than half of voters, 46 percent, say they
have thought about the presidential race a lot,
while almost as many said they had thought about
it only a little. Eight years ago, about
two-thirds were paying close attention to the
campaign, and that number has dropped steadily
since then in the Pew poll.
More than four in five said they learn about
campaign news without looking for it. Only a
handful, 15 percent, said they actually go
looking for political news.
The number of people who say it does not make
much difference who is elected president has
grown significantly in eight years, from 18
percent to 30 percent. Four in 10 young adults
say it makes no difference.
``The people who say it doesn't matter who gets
elected are the ones who know nothing about the
candidates,'' Mann said, noting the heavy voter
involvement of older adults who came of age
during Franklin Roosevelt's time. ``I pine for
the passing of the FDR generation, the civic
generation. They are passing out of the
electorate.''
American voters are ambivalent on whether they
want change or continuity. Bush plays on that
when he offers a change in leadership while
emphasizing many issues Democrats often make a
top priority, such as education and Social
Security.
Four in 10 in the poll said they want to continue
policies that have led to improved conditions,
while almost half said they want changes in
national policy to solve the remaining problems.
The poll of 1,673 registered voters was taken
June 14-21 and had an error margin of plus or
minus 3 percentage points.
Polls of registered voters, including this
survey, show the race is close and analysts say
public opinion is still fluid. Mann predicted
voters will likely show more interest in the
election as the campaign moves toward the
upcoming political conventions and the debate.
``My view is that Americans are inherently
apolitical and disinterested and that what
campaigns are about is helping them find their
way to their natural vote,'' Mann said. ``The
conventions and the debates are crucial in
bringing that about.''
---
On the Net: Poll information:
http://www.people-press.org
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