ABQjournal: Gloomy Outlook In N.M., Poll Says By Leslie

Linthicum, Journal Staff Writer

Nearly half of New Mexico voters have a gloomy outlook on the future of the nation, according to a

Journal poll, with 45 percent believing the country is headed down the wrong track. …

Only 39 percent chose the “right direction,”

compared to the 45 percent who said the “wrong track.” Sixteen percent were either undecided, had mixed feelings or didn’t want to share

their answer with a pollster. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus five percentage points.

Who’s the most glum?

They are highly educated (53 percent saying things are going sour), Democrats (61 percent), people who live in northern New Mexico (60

percent) and those who make between $40,000 and $60,000 (51 percent).

And the most optimistic about the national direction?

They are Republicans (72 percent) and people who live on the state’s east side (51 percent).

Hispanic voters appeared to have

less faith in the country’s future than Anglos. Twenty-six percent of Hispanics polled said the country was heading in the right

direction compared to 48 percent of Anglos polled. Fifty-six percent of the Hispanics said we’re on the wrong track, compared to 38

percent of the Anglos.

Women were twice as likely as men to be undecided or not say.

ABQjournal: Oh, So Close! Bush has Slight Lead in N.M.By

Andy Lenderman, Albuquerque Journal Politics Writer

President Bush had a slight edge over Democrat John Kerry in a Journal poll of

New Mexico voters, completed as the candidates prepared for the final two months of the campaign.

Bush had 45 percent support

compared to Kerry’s 42 percent in the Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 survey of 908 registered voters statewide.