George W. Bush declares he is a ''different kind'' of Republican. Al Gore says he's a New Democrat. But on the eve of the party conventions, a large proportion of Americans is not convinced that either man is what he claims to be, according to a Business Week/Harris Poll conducted July 21-24. At least voters have confidence in the economy. In contrast to four years ago, a majority confirm from their personal experience that the economy is growing. Most Americans feel better off than a year ago and expect to be even better off a year from now. Gore gets little credit for the prosperity. By a wide margin, respondents say Bush would do a better job of keeping the economy strong. Gore and Bush are in a virtual dead heat on the No. 1 issue: preparing the education system for the Information Age. The silver lining for Gore: He's the public's choice on health care, and many people have not made up their minds yet.
PEOPLE FEEL BETTER OFF AND OPTIMISTIC
Would you say that the economy is growing fast, growing slowly,
shrinking, or staying about the same?
JULY 2000 APRIL 1996
Growing (includes fast/slowly) 59% 32%
Growing fast 43% Not asked
Growing slowly 16% Not asked
Shrinking 8% 28%
Staying about the same 28% 39%
Not sure 4% 1%
Would you say your family is better off financially, the same,
or worse off now than it was 12 months ago?
JULY 2000 FEBRUARY 1999 SEPTEMBER 1997
Better off 45% 35% 34%
The same 41% 47% 45%
Worse off 13% 18% 19%
Not sure 1% -- 1%
Do you expect your family to be better off financially, the same,
or worse off financially 12 months from now?
JULY 2000 FEBRUARY 1999 SEPTEMBER 1997
Better off 56% 48% 50%
The same 32% 38% 36%
Worse off 7% 11% 10%
Not sure 5% 3% 3%
TOP ISSUES ARE THE TWO E'S: EDUCATION, ECONOMY
In the upcoming Presidential election, please tell me how important
each of the following issues will be in determining who you will vote
for for President.
VERY SOMEWHAT NOT VERY NOT AT ALL
IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT
Improving education 84% 12% 2% 1%
Keeping economy strong 81% 15% 1% 1%
Improving health care 78% 17% 3% 2%
Fighting crime 76% 18% 3% 1%
Strengthening Social Security
and Medicare 72% 21% 4% 2%
Protecting the environment 63% 30% 5% 2%
Enhancing privacy
protection 60% 29% 6% 2%
Cutting taxes 59% 28% 8% 4%
Improving America's defenses
and strengthening its
role in the world 50% 36% 9% 4%
Paying down the national debt 49% 38% 7% 4%
BUSH WINS THE ECONOMY, EDUCATION A VIRTUAL DRAW
For each of the following issues, please tell me which of the two major
candidates for President, Al Gore or George W. Bush, you think would do
a better job:
AL GORE GEORGE W. BUSH NOT SURE
Keeping the economy strong 33% 51% 13%
Preparing the education system
for the Information Age 43% 41% 13%
Assuring the financial solvency of
Social Security and Medicare 40% 43% 14%
Making sure that prescription
drugs are affordable 45% 36% 17%
Promoting new business formation 29% 53% 16%
Assuring that people are protected
from monopolies and other abuses of
corporate power 41% 39% 17%
Making necessary reforms
in government 34% 48% 14%
Substantially reducing the role of
the federal government in order to
increase state and local responsibility
for social programs 30% 53% 14%
Ensuring that the government and
political process are not unduly
affected by special interests 34% 43% 18%
George Bush says he is a new kind of Republican who will promote
compassionate policies--such as tax credits for working mothers--
to help struggling workers and the middle class. Do you believe him, or not?
Yes, believe George Bush 50%
No, do not believe George Bush 40%
Not sure 9%
Al Gore says he is a New Democrat who believes in fiscal responsibility,
paying down the national debt, and targeted spending for middle-class benefits.
Do you believe him, or not?
Yes, believe Al Gore 45%
No, do not believe Al Gore 45%
Not sure 10%
NOTE: Does not include refusals to answer. Some results do not add to 100% because of rounding.This Business Week/HARRIS POLL was conducted by telephone within the United States between July 21-23, 2000, among a nationwide cross section of 1,008 adults. Margin of error + or - 3%.
