Liberal Democrats give Dean lead in Field Poll (California) [View All]

[Freddie Stubbs]

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, buoyed by liberal, white and college- educated voters, has surged to the head of the pack in California's crowded Democratic presidential primary, according to a Field Poll released today.

"The wind is at (Dean's) back across the country and especially here in California," said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll. "Every time we've done a poll, his numbers have been up by a substantial margin."

A poll last April had Dean with only 7 percent support among California Democrats, compared with 22 percent for Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and 16 percent for Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. By July, the three candidates were in a virtual dead heat with about 15 percent each.

The new survey puts Dean on top in the March 2004 primary at 23 percent, with Lieberman at 15 percent, Kerry at 11 percent, Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt at 8 percent and the rest of the Democratic field at 4 percent or less.

more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/09/17/MN83615.DTL

poll results: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/09/17/MN83615.DTL&type=chart