Bush increases his lead in new poll

George Bush has stretched his lead over Democratic rival John Kerry to six points, according to a poll that shows the September 11 commission hearings have not harmed the president politically.

Bush leads Kerry, 50% to 44%, among likely US presidential election voters, according to the CNN-Gallup poll. Independent candidate Ralph Nader had 4%.

A separate ABC-Washington Post poll of registered voters gave Bush a 48% to 43% lead over Kerry, with Nader trailing at 6%.

The presidential election is on November 2.