October 11, 2000

Bush closes gap on Gore in California

Republican nominee George W. Bush has narrowed the lead of Democrat Al Gore among California likely voters in the race for president, according to a new Zogby International survey.

The survey, conducted Oct. 6 - 8 of 805 likely voters statewide has Gore leading Bush among California voters 44% - 39%. Results also have Green Party¹s Ralph Nader with 6%, Libertarian Harry Browne with 2% and one percent for Reform Party¹s Pat Buchanan. The Constitution Party¹s Howard Phillips had less than one percent.

Previous polls of California voters had Gore leading by as much as 13 points. The new survey has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3.6%.

While Gore leads Bush in the Bay area (56% - 27%) and in the Los Angeles/San Diego region (45% - 35%), Bush leads throughout the rest of California (47% - 40%). Bush also leads Gore among men (45% - 41%) while Gore leads among

women (48% - 33%).

Bush leads among white voters (45% - 39%) while Gore leads among Hispanics (52% - 23%) and African Americans. While Gore leads among Democrats (77% - 8%) and Bush leads among Republicans (79% - 11%), Bush outpolls Harry Browne

among Libertarians (37% - 23%).

Gore leads among 18-24 year-olds (49% - 24%) but Bush leads among 25-34 year-olds, considered a key swing group (44% - 35%). Among other age-groups Gore leads 46% - 38% among 35-54 year-olds, 45% - 41% among 55-69 year-olds

and 48% - 42% among voters over 70.

California presidential match-ups

As of October 9, 2000

(Democrat) Al Gore  45%

(Republican) George Bush 39%

(Green Party) Ralph Nader 6%

(Libertarian Party) Harry Browne 2%

(Reform Party) Pat Buchanan 1%l

 (Constitution Party) Howard Phillips under 1%