Bradley, McCain Double Their Support in State, Poll Finds

A poll of Californians released today shows Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley and Republican Sen. John McCain gaining ground in the state.

Bradley’s support more than doubled during the last three months, from 7% to 15%, as did McCain’s, from 4% to 9%, according to a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank based in San Francisco.

In addition, the survey of more than 2,000 residents revealed that Bradley and Texas Gov. George W. Bush are in a statistical dead heat in a general election match-up, with Bradley at 44% and Bush at 46%. Bush has a narrow lead over Vice President Al Gore, 48% to 44%.

“With more than three months to go until the March primary, it seems we have the makings of a competitive presidential contest in the state,” said survey director Mark Baldassare. “There is clearly room for an underdog who is willing to devote major energy and resources to getting to know people in the vast and diverse state.”

Support for Bush rose only 1 point, to 28%, while support for Gore dropped from 27% to 24%, the poll found. Gore lost support among Latinos during the last three months, dropping from 50% to 35%, but he still has a 9-point lead over Bush in that demographic group.