This is an RV poll, not an LV so you have to assume a 3%-5% Dem shift. You picked up 80% of the “news” in the poll but one other item that caught my eye was the “Strong Enthusiasm for Candidate” question where Kerry has cratered from 56% on August 1 to 40% now. Essentially, the Dem convention did absolutley nothing for him while Bush’s numbers moved in the opposite direction prior to the start of the Rep convention.

This is an RV poll, not an LV so you have to assume a 3%-5% Dem shift. You picked up 80% of the “news” in the poll but one other item that caught my eye was the “Strong Enthusiasm for Candidate” question where Kerry has cratered from 56% on August 1 to 40% now. Essentially, the Dem convention did absolutley nothing for him while Bush’s numbers moved in the opposite direction

Here’s the ABC Poll on Kerry & the military:

This poll suggests collateral damage rather than a direct hit from the “swift boat” ads questioning Kerry’s military service. They may have moved Kerry off his message, and they may have sown some doubts among a minority of registered voters: Four in 10 either don’t think Kerry legitimately earned his medals (23 percent) or are unsure (17 percent). That includes 36 percent of independents and 18 percent of Democrats, soaring to 64 percent of Republicans.

Still, however, six in 10 believe Kerry did earn his decorations, and 67 percent disapprove of the ads. Fewer, though, 42 percent, accept his contention that the Bush campaign was behind them.

There may be more potential downside for Kerry in a separate issue, his prominent opposition to the Vietnam War after leaving the military. Twenty-one percent say they’re more likely to vote for him because of this activity, but 26 percent are less likely to support him. Specifically among veterans, moreover, it’s 20 percent “more likely,” but 38 percent less so.

Personal favorability, the most basic measure of a public figure’s popularity, is another problem for Kerry. Last March, as he emerged victorious from the Democratic primaries, 54 percent of Americans had a favorable opinion of him, 26 percent unfavorable. On Aug. 1, after his convention, it was 51 percent to 32 percent. Today it’s 43 percent to 40 percent.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/Vote2004/bush_convention_poll_040829.html