USA Today poll

Shortly after the Newsweek post, there is news from a USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll:

The Democratic National Convention boosted voters' perceptions of John Kerry's leadership on critical issues, a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll finds. But it failed to give him the expected bump in the head-to-head race against President Bush.
In the survey, taken Friday and Saturday, the Democratic ticket of Kerry and John Edwards trailed the Republican ticket of Bush and Dick Cheney 50% to 46% among likely voters, with independent candidate Ralph Nader at 2%.

The article says more polling is to occur tonight and tomorrow night to get a fuller picture.

I'm not sure I understand this one. It goes against both Newsweek and the rolling Rasmussen Poll which shows Kerry today with a four point bounce with one day still pre Kerry speech.(The Rasmussen link will update everyday. As of August 1st, it shows Kerry 49-Bush 45).

Guess we have to wait until Tuesday for the full report.

*UPDATE* It seems some of the internal numbers are now up. Read away:

• Kerry's acceptance speech Thursday was rated as "excellent" by 26%, a more positive response than Bush got four years ago at his convention. A 44% plurality said the Democrats were "about right" in criticizing Bush; 30% said they went too far.

• Views of Kerry's personal characteristics and leadership improved across the board; views of Bush didn't change much. Bush's edge in handling terrorism was shaved to 12 points from 18 before the convention. In a switch, Kerry is trusted more to handle the responsibilities of commander in chief, 51%-46%.

• Kerry's military service in Vietnam, a theme of the convention, is seen as a plus. A 52% majority says that experience would help him be an effective president. More than one in four say it makes them more likely to vote for him.

So how Kerry loses points on the head to head seems ridiculous. Something is up.
More to come.