Kerry Gains Ground Among Women Voters, Takes Lead Over Bush

Senator John Kerry has reversed his slide among women who are voters and taken a lead over President Bush in a crucial category, according to new polls. The change in dynamics is particularly notable among single women, married women, and suburban women, who tend to vote Republican. Kerry's campaign has focused on economic issues, particularly health care, in its stump speech and advertising in swing states, which has contributed to the gain.

Key Takeaways:

• Kerry leads Bush among women who are registered voters, 50% to 40%, according to The New York Times/CBS News poll.
• Kerry has solidified his lead among single women, with 54% supporting him compared to 35% for Bush.
• Kerry has made gains among married women, shrinking the gap with Bush from 27 percentage points to 7 points.
• Kerry's campaign has focused on health care issues, with 50% of ads run by the campaign and the Democratic National Committee featuring health care messages.
• The Kerry campaign has launched a new television commercial featuring Kristen Breitweiser, whose husband was killed in the World Trade Center.
• Bush's campaign has launched a competing commercial featuring Ashley Faulkner, whose mother was killed in the World Trade Center.

Statistics:

• 50% of women who are registered voters support Kerry, while 40% support Bush, according to The New York Times/CBS News poll.
• Single women support Kerry by a margin of 54% to 35%.
• Married women support Bush by a margin of 46% to 39%.
• The gap between Kerry and Bush among married women has narrowed from 27 percentage points to 7 points.
• $14 million was invested in Bush's new commercial featuring Ashley Faulkner.
• 50% of ads run by the Kerry campaign and the Democratic National Committee feature health care messages.