2004 Presidential Election
 John Kerry is within striking distance of George Bush in Colorado, according to the Denver Post [June 27, 2004, "Election Day may be independents' day"]. From the article, "While Kerry is trailing Bush by 5 percentage points in the state, according to a Denver Post poll (conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc.), the slim margin reveals more about the president than his rival. The poll indicates Bush, who beat Al Gore in Colorado by nine percentage points in the 2000 presidential race, now has two obvious problems: He is under 50 percent in the race, and fewer than half the voters have a favorable impression of him. Since 1948, incumbent presidents running for re-election with approval ratings under 50 percent in June or July of an election year have lost. Increased controversy and casualties stemming from the war in Iraq appear to have taken a toll on the president. Only 43 percent of voters said they approved of his handling of the situation in Iraq. Additionally, 53 percent of voters approve of Bush's handling of the other issue he has staked his presidency on - the war on terrorism." The Post article has a link to the poll in Word format.
Independent voters are key to both campaigns here in Colorado, according to the Denver Post [June 27, 2004, "Bush, Kerry wooing unaffiliateds in state"]. From the article, "Independent voters have played critical roles in recent presidential elections, moving to Ronald Reagan in 1980 and Bill Clinton in 1992. Many also backed Ross Perot in 1992 and Ralph Nader four years ago. In the mid- to late 1960s, the number of independents increased, largely because of the Vietnam War, according to Gallup surveys at the time. The Watergate scandal added more, as did the 1993 'Motor Voter' law, which lets people easily register to vote by mail or when they get a driver's license. Roughly 40 percent of the electorate described themselves as independents in the 2000 election, according to the National Election Studies at the University of Michigan. National pollster John Zogby says the number now hovers at anywhere from 26 percent to 40 percent. Independents tend to be centrist, not liberal or conservative, leaving them open to the appeal of politicians outside the mainstream like U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona and 1992 presidential candidate Ross Perot."
Here's a look at some of the issues the Coloradans will have in mind when they cast their vote this fall, according to the Denver Post [June 27, 2004, "Economy, environment, war among issues eyed by voters"]. Of course there is the war in Iraq and the Patriot act, but this is Colorado. You must include the economy and environment.
Taegan Goddard: "The Green Party 'nominated Texas attorney David Cobb as its candidate for president Saturday, rejecting Ralph Nader's efforts to secure the party's formal endorsement and likely access to the ballot in key states like Wisconsin and California,' the AP reports."
Update: Box Office Guru: "President Bush conquered the box office on Friday, with a little help from Michael Moore, as the controversial documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 opened at number one with an estimated $8.1M in its first day of nationwide release. Playing in only 868 theaters, the Lions Gate/IFC Films release averaged an astonishing $9,378 per location in just one day. Fahrenheit blasted past all industry expectations going into the weekend as media hype surrounding the R-rated film sparked immense interest among moviegoers. For the weekend, the anti-Bush doc could gross $21-24M." Thanks to Dave Cullen for the link.
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