It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points. The most striking finding in the survey is the extent to which voters have reservations about Mr. Bush's preparedness. Their concerns may reflect their knowledge that Mr. Gore has served as vice president for eight years and, before that, was in the House and Senate for 16 years. By contrast, Mr. Bush did not hold public office until he was elected governor of Texas in 1994. Lynn Eagleeye, a poll respondent from Bay Village, Ohio, said in a follow-up interview today that she was an independent but leaning toward Mr. Gore.
Experience comes with the job and comes with time.
It's not just the president running the country, it's his team of advisers. I liked the job Bush's father did with foreign policy, and I think George W. has a good adviser in that area. But others, especially Republicans, were not daunted by Mr. Gore's longer record of public service. I liked Bush's father and I think some of that ability and knowledge has rubbed off on him. Gore just does not impress me as a leader.