Americans:
- Prefer John Kerry Over George W. Bush
- Support A Congressionally Sponsored Self Determination Process For Puerto Rico
- Would Support Statehood If Islanders Request It.
In a Puerto Rico Herald public opinion survey just released, 900 registered voters on the U.S. mainland expressed opinions about the Presidential race and their attitudes about Puerto Rico. The polling, conducted by Opinion Dynamics of Cambridge, Massachusetts, queered respondents by telephone between July 9th and 12th. All but 3% had voted in the 2000 election.
The Bush – Kerry "horserace" question tracked with other recent national polls, showing that, if the election were to be held today, the Democratic challenger would best President Bush by one percentage point, 42% to 41%. Ralph Nader drew 2% of the vote among respondents and 15% were either undecided or would not vote. When Nader was eliminated from the ballot choices, John Kerry’s advantage rose to 45% while President Bush’s remained the same at 41%.
Polling Results with Ralph Nader in the Race
|
Republican George W. Bush
|
41%
|
|
Democrat John Kerry
|
42
|
|
Independent candidate Ralph Nader
|
2
|
|
(Not sure/Other)
|
14
|
|
(Would not vote)
|
1
|
Polling Results with Ralph Nader Not in the Race
|
Republican George W. Bush
|
41%
|
|
Democrat John Kerry
|
45
|
|
(Not sure/Other)
|
13
|
|
(Would not vote)
|
1
|
Respondents were also asked to express their general awareness of Puerto Rico, its political status and its relationship to the United States. In one question, 75% of respondents thought that the US Congress should offer Puerto Ricans a chance to vote on a clear choice between statehood and independence. In another, the question was posed, "If a majority of the people of Puerto Rico asked to be admitted to the Union as a state, would you favor or oppose allowing them to become the 51st state?
Respondents Favoring a Puerto Rico Statehood Bid
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Favor Statehood Petition
|
68%
|
|
Oppose Statehood Petition
|
16
|
|
(Not sure)
|
16
|
In subsequent editions of the Herald, a description of U.S. mainland attitudes about Puerto Rico will be reported in detail.
July 16, 2004