Politics

For Whom The Poll Tolls? Dole

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 10, 1999 / 1:41 PM EST / CBS

Elizabeth Dole is emerging as a worthy contender for Texas Gov. George W. Bush's title as front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000.

According to a poll of New Hampshire voters released Tuesday, Dole is the leader of the Republican pack as far as likely GOP presidential candidates go. On the Democratic side, Vice President Al Gore held a commanding lead among Democratic hopefuls.

Dole came in with 25 percent of the vote, putting her ahead of Bush, who had 21 percent. Lamar Alexander was third with 10 percent, and Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire was near the bottom with 4 percent.

American Research Group conducted the random telephone survey of 454 registered Republicans from last Thursday through Monday.

Among Democrats, 61 percent of 411 registered Democrats said they support Gore. Former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley was second with 9 percent. Jesse Jackson and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts each had 3 percent.

The polls had a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points. A number of factors, including the way questions are worded, can affect poll results.