You would have to point to the debates as a cause of that. But Kohut said Bush has yet to close the deal with a substantial number of voters. Several recent polls have suggested Democrats have more work to do to get their voters to the polls because of lower enthusiasm for Gore. Gore still leads on top issues like health care, Social Security and the economy. The two were about even on this measure in September.
Some analysts say that contentment has made voters more complacent.
Meanwhile, they are hearing campaign criticisms leveled at both candidates. Three-fourths had heard the charge that Bush cares more about the rich, and three in 10 said that made them less likely to support him. Almost that many have heard criticism of Bush's record in Texas on issues like health care and the environment, and about three in 10 said that made them less likely to support him. Two-thirds said they've heard that Gore cannot be trusted and tends to exaggerate, and a fourth said that makes their support for him less likely. Just over half have heard the criticism that Gore wants to bring back the era of big government, and one in five said that makes them less likely to support him.