Washington, DC–(HISPANIC
PR WIRE – US Newswire)–July 16, 2004–A national public opinion poll commissioned
by the Puerto Rico Herald and released today shows Sen. John Kerry leading President
George W. Bush by 42% to 41% in the presidential sweepstakes, with Ralph Nader
receiving 2% and 14% undecided.  With Nader withdrawn from the equation,
Kerry’s lead extends to 45% to 41%.

The telephone survey of
900 registered voters, 97% of whom voted in the 2000 election, was conducted
July 9-12 by Opinion Dynamics of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Regarding the favorable
image of the presidential candidates, George W. Bush came out ahead of John
Kerry by a margin of 47% to 44%.  However, in the “unfavorable”
category, Kerry fared better, with 37% of the votes to Bush’s 45%.

In addition to questions
on the presidential race, the pollsters asked questions related to Puerto Rico’s
political status and its relationship to the United States, revealing that three
of every four respondents favored self-determination for Puerto Rico. 
When asked if they thought that “the US Congress should offer Puerto Ricans
a chance to vote on a clear choice between statehood and independence,”
75% said yes, while 14% said no and 12% were unsure.

In a related question, respondents
were asked, “If a majority of the people of Puerto Rico asked to be admitted
to the Union as a state, would you favor or oppose allowing them to become the
51st state?”  Sixty-eight percent said they were in favor, 16% were
opposed and 16% were “not sure.”

Following are selected poll
questions and responses:

If the election for president
of the United States were held today, for whom would you vote if the candidates
were:

Republican George W. Bush             
41%

Democrat John Kerry                   
42%

Independent candidate Ralph
Nader       2%

(Not sure/Other)                      
14%

(Would not vote)                       
1%

If the election for president
of the United States were held today, for whom would you vote if the candidates
were:

Republican George W. Bush             
41%

Democrat John Kerry                   
45%

(Not sure/Other)                      
13%

(Would not vote)                       
1%

I’m going to read the names
of some people. Please tell me whether you have a generally favorable or unfavorable
opinion of each. If you’ve never heard of one, please just say so.

              
Favorable   Unfavorable    Can’t   
Never

                                         
say      heard

1. George W.   47%        
45%            8%      
—

   Bush

2. John       
44%         37%           
18%      1%

   Kerry

3. Ralph      
24%         46%           
24%      7%

   Nader

4. Bill       
49%         44%           
7%       —

   Clinton

Regardless of where you
stand on statehood for Puerto Rico, do you think the US Congress should offer
Puerto Ricans a chance to vote on a clear choice between statehood and independence–the
only two long-term solutions?

Yes            
75%

No             
14%

(Not sure)     
12%

If a majority of the people
of Puerto Rico asked to be admitted to the Union as a state, would you favor
or oppose allowing them to become the 51st state?

Favor          
68%

Oppose         
16%

(Not sure)     
16%

–30–

Contact:
John Gorman, (617)
492-1400
or
Larry Shiman, (617)
492-1400