The Hiller Instinct: 7News / Suffolk Poll

Sen. John Kerry (D) Presidential Candidate
"I have great respect for the voters of New Hampshire."

The feeling is mutual. Our poll shows Kerry is number one among the nine Democrats expected to run for president. Kerry, with 32 percent, is leading runner-up, Joe Lieberman, at 17, and Howard Dean, with 10 percent, who finished third. Congressman Dick Gephardt gets six percent, all the other candidates, five and 29 percent of likely Democratic voters are undecided.

Professor David Paleologos, Suffolk University Pollster
"John Kerry is the granite in this poll. He is the solid frontrunner."

We also questioned New Hampshire Democrats about Kerry's recent surgery for prostate cancer. When we asked, "Do you think Kerry's health will be an issue in this campaign?" 22 percent said yes, but 65 percent said no, with 3 percent undecided.

Sen. John Kerry
"I think it's going to be 100 percent as more learn that I had a completely successful operation. I am completely cancer free."

President Bush
"We must smoke these al Qaida types out one at a time..."

Our poll shows Bush has convinced many New Hampshire Democrats there is a connection between Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. Asked if there's a direct link between al Qaida and Iraq, 47 percent said yes, 35 percent no and 17 percent were undecided.

Kerry doesn't buy it…

Sen. John Kerry
"They have transformed Osama bin Laden into Saddam Hussein. It has been a very effective transformation, but it is not a completely truthful one."

Still, when we asked New Hampshire Democrats "Who do you expect the next president will be?" 32 percent said Bush. Kerry led the democrats with 11 percent with 45 percent undecided.

Sen. John Kerry
"I frankly think that only 32 percent is a very low number for an incumbent president. I'm very encouraged by the possibilities."

Kerry can be more than encouraged... he can be proud. He's established himself beyond New Hampshire as the Democrat's front runner and, by any measure, he's a major candidate with a real chance of winning the nomination.

I know that shocks some Democrats in Massachusetts, and all I can say to them is, you need to get over it.