Irish people strongly favour the Democratic candidate, Senator John Kerry, as the next US president, giving him a three-to-one margin over President George Bush.
The latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll shows 55 per cent of voters would prefer the election of Senator Kerry. Some 18 per cent would prefer to see the re-election of President George Bush, 2 per cent want to see the environmental campaigner Mr Ralph Nader elected, and 25 per cent would prefer none of these or have no opinion.
The poll reflects the traditional Irish affinity with Democratic Party candidates in the US, and the strong opposition in the State to the war on Iraq led by President Bush. The poll was taken last Monday and Tuesday among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters in all constituencies throughout the State.
This high level of support for Senator Kerry is seen across all age groups, regions, social categories and among supporters of all parties. Labour voters have the strongest opposition to President Bush, with 63 per cent favouring Mr Kerry, just 9 per cent President Bush, 1 per cent Mr Nader and 27 per cent supporting none of these or having no opinion.
Among PD supporters there is 62 per cent support for Senator Kerry, 23 per cent for President Bush and 15 per cent would not vote for either. None chose Mr Nader.
Some 59 per cent of Fine Gael supporters would prefer Senator Kerry, 24 per cent President Bush, 1 per cent Mr Nader and 17 per cent choosing none of these or having no opinion.
Some 56 per cent of Fianna Fáil supporters favour Senator Kerry, 20 per cent President Bush, 3 per cent Mr Nader and 21 per cent choosing none of these or having no opinion.
Among rural voters 50 per cent prefer Senator Kerry, 22 per cent President Bush, 1 per cent Mr Nader and 27 per cent supporting none of these or having no opinion.
In urban areas 59 per cent prefer Senator Kerry, 15 per cent President Bush, 3 per cent Mr Nader and 24 per cent favour none of these or have no opinion.