Bush in commanding lead following convention

President George Bush secured a big bounce from his party convention, putting him in a commanding lead in the election race, according to a new poll.

Mr Bush was 11 points ahead of his Democratic rival Senator John Kerry following the four day gathering of Republicans in New York City.

Until now, Mr Bush and Mr Kerry have been level pegging in the polls.

The poll for Time Magazine, out on September 6, also found support for Mr Bush’s handling of the war in Iraq had grown in recent days.

If the election were held now 52% would vote for Mr Bush and 41% for Mr Kerry.

The poll was conducted from August 31 to September 2, while the convention was being held.

The results come as a surprise even to Mr Bush’s campaign staff.

The accepted logic in political circles was that the nation was so divided, and voters so certain of how they would cast their ballot on November 2, a convention bounce for Mr Bush was unlikely.

Mr Kerry’s popularity rose by only a few points after the Democratic National Convention, which was held in Boston in July.

According to the Time poll, Mr Kerry lagged significantly on the issues of Iraq and the war on terrorism.

More than half – 53% – said they trusted Mr Bush to deal with the situation in Iraq, opposed to 41% who supported Mr Kerry.

On terrorism, 57% trusted Mr Bush against 36% for Mr Kerry.

On the economy, the match was closer with 47% for Mr Bush and 45% for Mr Kerry.

Mr Bush appeared to have succeeded in getting across the message that he is a strong war leader.

More than half – 56% – said they trusted Mr Bush to provide strong leadership in difficult times, while 37% said they trusted Mr Kerry.

And 54% said they believed Mr Bush would be best as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, while 39% said they preferred Mr Kerry.

On Iraq, exactly half of those surveyed approved of the way President Bush is handling the situation in Iraq, while 46% disapprove.

In another Time Magazine poll last week, 48% approved of the way Bush was handling the situation in Iraq and 48% disapproved.

Mr Bush also received a four point boost from 55% to 59% from on his handling of the war on terror.

Asked whether the war in Iraq had made the world safer, almost half – 45% - think the US actions have made the world safer, while 45% think the world is more dangerous.

In an earlier Time Magazine poll, between August 3 and 5, 52% said the world was more dangerous, and 38% said the world was safer.

Some 1,316 adults were questioned in the latest poll.

Yesterday, President Bush was back on the campaign trail after making a prime time convention speech, in which he promised to win the war on terror and defended the decision to oust Saddam Hussein from Iraq.

Meanwhile, Mr Kerry, a Vietnam war hero, accused Mr Bush of misleading the US into the Iraq war.

And the Massachusetts Senator accused vice president Dick Cheney of dodging service in Vietnam.

Mr Cheney deferred his service five times, while Mr Kerry served as a Navy Swift Boat captain winning a silver star for bravery.

“I guess I’ll leave it up to the voters whether five deferments makes someone more qualified to defend this nation than two tours of duty,” Mr Kerry said.