TIME/CNN Poll: Nation

TIME/CNN Poll: Nation

McCain's numbers keep climbing...

--If you were asked to vote for a Republican nominee for President today, for whom would you vote?*

BUSH McCain NOVEMBER 1999 59% 13% JANUARY 2000 59% 18% FEBRUARY 2000 54% 28%

*Asked of 395 Republicans and Republican leaners. Sampling error is +/- 4.9%. Other candidates and "not sures" omitted.

...while Bradley's keep slipping

--If you were asked to vote for a Democratic nominee for President today, for whom would you vote?**

GORE BRADLEY NOVEMBER 1999 50% 29% JANUARY 2000 49% 27% FEBRUARY 2000 61% 21%

**Asked of 444 Democrats and Democratic leaners. Sampling error is +/- 4.7%. Other candidates and "not sures" omitted.

While McCain still lags far behind Bush among Republicans nationally, his general election numbers now look nearly as good as Bush's. Gore, even as he stretches his lead over Bradley, isn't making progress here

--If the Presidential election were held today, for whom would you vote?*** BUSH VS. GORE

NOVEMBER 1999 52% 42% FEBRUARY 2000 50% 42%

McCAIN VS. GORE NOVEMBER 1999 37% 51% FEBRUARY 2000 46% 45%

***Asked of 1,005 registered voters. Sampling error is +/- 3.7%

McCain is strongest versus Bush on foreign policy; for Democrats, Gore's the worldly one

--Do you think the candidate understands world affairs? (Yes responses)

BUSH* McCAIN* 66% 70%

GORE** BRADLEY** 82% 44%

Bradley trumpets his style of leadership, but Democrats aren't buying; Bush still tough here

--Do you think the candidate is a strong and decisive leader? (Yes)

BUSH* McCAIN* 76% 63%

GORE** BRADLEY** 62% 42%

Americans realize they don't really know Bradley and McCain yet, leaving room for movement

--Do you know enough about the following candidates?*** (Yes)

BUSH McCAIN 49% 27%

GORE BRADLEY 57% 25%

Republicans still like Bush's chances; Democrats may be giving up on Bradley

--Do you think Bush can beat the Democratic nominee in November?* (Yes)

JANUARY FEBRUARY 83% 79%

--Do you think McCain can beat the Democratic nominee in November?* (Yes)

JANUARY FEBRUARY 49% 55%

--Do you think Gore can beat the Republican nominee in November?** (Yes)

JANUARY FEBRUARY 54% 67%

--Do you think Bradley can beat the Republican nominee in November?** (Yes)

JANUARY FEBRUARY 42% 27%

From a nationwide telephone poll of 1,257 adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on Feb. 2-3 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. Sampling error is +/- 2.8%.