Kerry Pulls Even With Bush at 49%-49% Democratic nominee John Kerry and President George W. Bush are now tied at 49% among likely voters, a gain for Kerry in the presidential race compared to polls conducted in September, before last Thursday’s first debate. Bush’s job approval rating is now at 50%, down from 54% prior to the debate. Americans, however, continue to be more likely to see Bush than Kerry as a strong and decisive leader, and to see Bush as better able to handle terrorism and Iraq, although Kerry has improved on each of these dimensions. taken from Gallup.com