TIME.com: Bush Opens Double-Digit Lead

TIME.com: "New York: For the first time since the Presidential race became a two person contest last spring, there is a clear leader, the latest TIME poll shows.

According to Time.com, if the 2004 election for President were held today, 52% of likely voters surveyed would vote for President George W. Bush, 41% would vote for Democratic nominee John Kerry. The poll was conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.

Bush vs. Kerry:

• The economy: 47% trust President Bush more to handle the economy, while 45% trust Kerry.
• Health care: 48% trust Senator Kerry to handle health care issues, while 42% trust Bush.
• Iraq: 53% trust Bush to handle the situation in Iraq, while 41% trust Kerry.
• Terrorism: 57% trust Bush to handle the war on terrorism, while 36% trust Kerry.
• Understanding the needs of people: 47% said they trust Kerry to understand the needs of people like themselves, while 44% trusted Bush to understand their needs.
• Providing strong leadership: 56% said they trust Bush to provide strong leadership in difficult times, while 37% said they trust Kerry to provide leadership in difficult times.
• Tax policy: 49% trust Bush to handle tax policy, while 40% trust Kerry.
• Commanding the Armed Forces: 54% said they trust Bush to be commander-in-chief of the armed forces, while 39% said they trust Kerry.
  
  Bush outpolls Kerry on 6 of 8 major issues.
  
  On the issues, let's look at the tale of the tape -- Of the most important issues cited by those polled -
  
• 25% of registered voters cited the economy as the top issue (Advantage Bush - 2% margin)
• 24% who cited the war on terrorism as the top issue (Advantage Bush - 21% margin)
• 17% of voters consider the situation in Iraq was rated the top issue (Advantage Bush - 12% margin)
• 16% cited moral values issues such as gay marriage and abortion (Toss up - Advantage Kerry on understanding the needs of the public; Advantage Bush on strong leadership)
• 11% of respondents elected health care as the most important issue (Advantage Kerry)

The clear message - On leadeship and the top three concerns of those polled, Bush is the resounding choice for President.