CNN/TIME Poll Shows Clinton Up By 12 Points

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, May 10) -- President Bill Clinton holds a 50 percent-38 percent lead over Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.) in the latest CNN/TIME poll.

The 12-point lead represents a slight drop from the last CNN/TIME survey taken in early April. Other CNN polls taken since that last CNN/TIME poll, including one the last week of April, showed Clinton leading Dole by as much as 21 points.

This indicates that Clinton's lead may have narrowed in the last ten days.

The poll was based on interviews with 1,011 adults, including 826 registered voters, between May 8 and 9, and it has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.

Although Clinton's lead has dropped, the president still has a comfortable lead over Dole and, if his track record is any guide, Clinton may be able to gain back some of that lost strength quickly as he has in the past.

In a hypothetical three-way race with Texas businessman Ross Perot in the race, Clinton wins with 45 percent, followed by Dole at 35 percent and Perot at 14 percent.

While political analysts and even some people in his own Republican Party bemoan Dole's lackluster campaign so far, the American people have not given up on the Senate Majority Leader.

When people were asked, "Regardless of whom you favor for president, do you think it is possible that Bob Dole can beat Bill Clinton in the November presidential election?," 53 percent of those surveyed said yes, while 38 percent said no.

(A historical comparison: In April 1992, 51 percent of those questioned in a similar poll didn't think it was possible that Clinton could beat George Bush.)

Clinton's strength, and public concern about the budget battles in Washington, may also be translating into support for Democratic candidates in Congress.

When people were asked if they thought they would vote for the Democratic candidate for Congress or the Republican candidate in their district, 46 percent said the Democrat to 39 percent for the Republican.

CNN/TIME Poll Shows Clinton Up By 12 Points

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