Clinton Ahead In L.A. Times Survey

LOS ANGELES (AllPolitics, April 19) -- While pollsters and analysts agree the presidential race is certain to tighten this fall, another new national survey shows President Bill Clinton with a sizable lead over Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.).

A Los Angeles Times survey found the president leading Dole 55 percent to 37 percent. In a hypothetical four-way race, with Texas billionaire Ross Perot and consumer advocate Ralph Nader in the race too, Clinton emerged on top, with 45 percent to Dole's 32 percent, Perot's 13 percent and Nader's 6 percent.

The poll also found deep dissatisfaction with the country's direction, but the people surveyed tended to place more blame on the Republican-led Congress than on Clinton.

In fact, 55 percent of people said they approved of how Clinton is doing his job, while only 37 percent agreed with the GOP's congressional agenda. That approval rating was up over last fall and also fall 1994.

Only 29 percent of people surveyed said the United States is on the right track; 61 percent said the country is moving in the wrong direction.

And there was pessimism about whether the election would have any impact on their lives. A majority -- 54 percent -- said the outcome would not significantly affect their lives.

The nationwide survey, conducted April 13-16, was based on interviews with 1,149 registered voters and includes a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

Clinton Ahead In L.A. Times Survey

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