Kerry makes gains in new N.H. poll

December 19, 2003

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Kerry makes gains in new N.H. poll

Howard Dean maintained his grip on the top spot in New Hampshire, but presidential rival John F. Kerry inched up slightly, according to a survey of likely Democratic primary voters. Forty-five percent of those questioned preferred Dean as the party's nominee, the same as two weeks ago. But Kerry, the Massachusetts senator, solidified his spot at number two, rising from 13 percentage points to 20 percentage points, within weeks of the state's Jan. 27 primary. The poll, released yesterday by American Research Group in Manchester, N.H., shows Wesley K. Clark and Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut battling for third, with the support of 8 percent and 6 percent. The phone survey of 600 likely voters was conducted from Monday through Wednesday and had a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points. (AP)

Dean's numbers jump in Wisconsin

Howard Dean has gained ground while Wesley K. Clark has lost support in a survey of likely Democratic primary voters in Wisconsin. Dean had the backing of 33 percent, a jump from the 13 percent who supported the former Vermont governor in a similar poll in September. Clark, who had 18 percent support in the last survey, had slipped to 11 percent in the poll released Thursday. Among the other candidates, Joseph I. Lieberman was at 12 percent, Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri 9 percent, and John F. Kerry 6 percent. The other candidates were below 5 percent. Twenty-two percent of those questioned Sunday through Tuesday by the University of Wisconsin were undecided, down from 32 percent in September. The website Wispolitics.com was a sponsor of the poll. The poll of 402 likely voters had a margin of plus or minus five percentage points. The Democratic primary is Feb. 17. (AP)

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Clark backs buying pills from Canada

DIXVILLE -- Wesley K. Clark said yesterday he supports amending federal law to allow individuals and groups to buy prescription drugs from Canada. The retired general discussed health care with eight of the 23 registered voters of Dixville, which traditionally casts the nation's first votes in national elections by opening its polls in the first minutes of Election Day. "I don't think it's appropriate to keep people from buying drugs," Clark said. Prescription drugs generally are cheaper in Canada than in the United States, prompting many residents of New Hampshire and other border states to travel to Canada to buy them. The Food and Drug Administration says buying drugs from Canada is risky because their safety cannot be guaranteed. (AP)