With Election Day just five days away, President Bush holds a five-point lead over Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) among likely voters, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup survey released Tuesday.
Bush leads Kerry 51 percent to 46 percent among 1,195 likely voters, according to the poll. One percent of likely voters said they favored independent candidate Ralph Nader.
Among 1,461 registered voters polled by telephone, 49 percent said they supported Bush and 47 percent said they supported Kerry.
The margin of error for both polls was plus or minus 3 percent, meaning the true leader was unclear, according to CNN.
"Our country is approaching an election in which there are very high feelings and which is likely to be determined by a very few votes," said Barrett McCormick, an associate professor of political science. "It is very important for us all to conduct ourselves in a way that places the long term good of our republic over our short-term partisan interests. Al Gore's decision to accept the Supreme Court's unfavorable ruling sets a high standard that I hope both candidates will maintain."
Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney's plan, called "A Plan for a Safer World & More Hopeful America," includes creating opportunity for workers, helping American families in a changing world, promoting an era of ownership, defending American lives and liberty, supporting the community and honoring American values of compassion and service, according to his campaign Web site.
John Broehm, communications director of Wisconsin Bush-Cheney '04 in Wauwatosa, said the campaign is trying to get people to vote.
"We've spent the entire year contacting people by phone, trying to target individuals who are likely going to vote for (Bush)," Broehm said. "Once we've found those people, we contact them again in the days prior to Election Day and remind them where the president stands on issues."
On Election Day, all previously telephoned voters will be "blitzed" again — reminding them to vote, where the closest poll is located and that transportation will be provided if they need a ride to the polls, Broehm said.
"Stronger at Home, Respected in the World" is the name of Kerry's plan for America. He and running mate Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) outline their plan in their book, "Our Plan for America."
Their plan includes restoring America's respect in the world, making the United States independent of Middle Eastern oil, creating new jobs, strengthening the middle class, ensuring educational opportunity, providing high-quality health care, improving education and strengthening families, according to their campaign Web site.
Nader's campaign Web site cites issues like affirmative action, civil liberties and constitutional rights, the federal budget, health care for all people, media bias and concentration and peace as the focus of his campaign.
Knight Ridder Newspapers reported Oct. 22, "With Nader polling at 1 to 2 percent in six of the states where Kerry and Bush are in a dead heat — Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Iowa — activists are trying to persuade Nader sympathizers through advertisements and appearances to vote for Kerry or at least 'trade' their vote with someone in another state."
The Green Party presidential candidate, David Cobb, is running the "Vote Green for Peace" campaign.
According to his Web site, Cobb supports bringing home U.S. troops now, clean and renewable energy, small businesses and opposes a military draft. Patricia LaMarche, of Maine, is his running mate.