A majority of Americans disapprove of the Republican and Democrat conventions

http://www.badnarik.org/PressRoom/archive.php?p=605

Washington, DC - Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik and his communications director Stephen Gordon appeared at a fundraiser in Columbia, MD, Thursday night. When asked about his campaign strategy by a guest at the function, Badnarik responded with his now familiar, "Television, television, and more television."

Gordon also spoke at the event, spending his time providing details from the first national poll conducted by the campaign - beginning by informing the enthusiastic crowd that Badnarik is now polling at 3%, a sharp increase from the 1% to 1.5% range reported earlier this month in surveys performed by pollsters John Zogby and Larry Jacobs.

In a poll commissioned by the Badnarik campaign, the question was asked, "If the Presidential election were held today, would you vote for Republican George W. Bush, Democrat John F. Kerry, or Libertarian Michael Badnarik?"

43% of respondents chose Bush, 46% chose Kerry, and 3% chose Badnarik - with 8% not sure. This poll of 1000 adults was conducted on July 21 by Rasmussen Research, providing a 3% margin of error.

Some other data presented show that 68% of those polled support open presidential debates.

When asked if people would vote for Badnarik if they know that Bush and Kerry supported the War in Iraq and the Drug War, and that Badnarik opposes them, Badnarik received a 34% positive rate, compared to 55% who would not vote for him and 11% undecided. Gordon noted, "In a three way race, 34% is all it may take to win."

Another question revealed that millions of public tax dollars are spent to stage the Democrat and Republican national presidential nominating conventions.

When asked if tax money should be spent to stage these conventions, 24% said "Yes", 62% said "No" with 14% being unsure.

The Libertarian Party supports its national convention with totally private funding.

Full details of this poll will be available www.badnarik.org early next week.