CNN has an intriguing — and admittedly meaningless — poll out (via Glenn Reynolds):
The poll, based on interviews with 1,001 adult Americans, including 562 likely voters, was conducted in the days after the New Hampshire primary.
. . . .
When the 562 likely voters were asked for their choice from a Bush v. Kerry race, 53 percent of those picked Kerry, and 46 percent favored Bush.
Not so shocking, considering the kid-glove media coverage Kerry has received thus far (noted by Kevin Drum, among others), and the dreadful week had by Bush. It’s worth noting, though, that the poll shows Bush soundly trouncing Dean, 52-45. If Democrats didn’t previously have enough reasons to question Dean’s electability, here’s another.
What else? Support for the Iraq war has slipped below 50% for the first time ever. Good choice with the new plan to get the heck outta Baghdad! Always lead the polls — never follow. (Get Tacitus’s take on the all-but-retreat from Baghdad here.) Good news for Bush? Well, 54% of respondents think Bush didn’t lie on WMDs. Grasp that silver lining, baby. Grasp it with both hands!