African Americans Unsure About Kerry According to New Poll; Only 32 Percent of African Americans Think Kerry Should Replace Bush

7/12/2004

From: Margaret Ekam of BAMPAC, 202-785-9619

WASHINGTON, July 12 -- In a national poll of African American registered voters commissioned by Black America's Political Action Committee (BAMPAC), less than one in three (32 percent) African Americans stated that they definitely believed that Sen. John Kerry was the best candidate to replace President Bush. The poll was conducted June 30th to July 4th among 800 African American registered voters via phone by Wilson Research Strategies.

Twenty-one percent (21 percent) of African Americans stated that they probably believe that Sen. Kerry is the best candidate to replace President Bush. A total of 32 percent of African Americans stated they would have preferred someone other than Sen. Kerry to replace President Bush (18 percent stated they would probably have preferred someone other than Kerry to replace President Bush; 14 percent said that they would have definitely preferred someone other than Kerry to replace President Bush).

Other key findings of the poll include:

-- Seventeen percent of African Americans (17 percent) believe that President Bush deserves reelection. The president's approval rating among African Americans is 21 percent.

-- The most important issues to African Americans when choosing a candidate are the economy (34 percent); health care (12 percent) and education (11 percent)

-- Secretary of State Colin Powell is the most influential African American political figure. Powell earned this distinction from 38 percent of the respondents. Others listed included: Rev. Jesse Jackson (27 percent) and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice (8 percent).

In response to the poll findings, BAMPAC President and CEO Alvin Williams said, "The results show that while the majority of African Americans are in favor of selecting a new President, they are not completely sure that Senator John Kerry is the next best option."

ABOUT BAMPAC

Founded in 1994, BAMPAC is a non-partisan federal Political Action Committee committed to electing tomorrow's leaders today.

To schedule an interview with Alvin Williams contact Margaret Ekam at 202-785-9619.