A poll of black voters completed two weeks before Election Day suggested that President Bush could double his support among blacks from 2000. A survey of 821 black voters by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies-a group respected by liberals-showed blacks backing Kerry over Bush by 69% to 18%. In the same survey taken just before the 2000 election, Bush enjoyed only 9% support among blacks.
Conservative Christian blacks and blacks making more than $60,000 a year accounted for most of Bush's gain. When asked about the survey during a media conference call, Kerry Deputy Campaign Manager Bill Lynch claimed the campaign's internal polls show lower numbers for Bush and more support for Kerry.
