The Hiller Instinct: 7News-Suffolk Poll: Popularity and Politics

Massachusetts tips its hat back to the president who has made many believers in this democratic dominated state. In fact, when we asked state voters if they think Bush will be re-elected 60 percent said yes, just 31percent no.

Prof. David Paleologos, Suffolk University Pollster
"It's a two to one margin in terms of whether President Bush will be re-elected. That's impressive, it's powerful and it's part of a war bounce that we've seen in this polling."

For example, more than half of Massachusetts voters feel safer with Saddam Hussein deposed, which is bad news for John Kerry, who seems surprisingly weak in his home state.

Less than half the state's voters think Kerry will be the democratic nominee for president and almost as many think he won't be.

Senator John Kerry, (D) Massachusetts
"Now this may be a tough place..."

...Kerry joked on St. Patrick's Day, but our poll says it's no joke. Kerry ranks third in popularity with state voters, narrowly beating Governor Romney, but trailing Senator Ted Kennedy and Boston Mayor Tom Menino.

Prof. David Paleologos
"Ted Kennedy, most popular, no surprise there. Number two, Tom Menino, big surprise. He was popular across all categories: geography, gender, party, age... all the demographics, state wide."

And the state's most unpopular politicians, number one Shannon O'Brien, the democrat who ran for governor, and number two, House Speaker Tom Finneran.

Shannon O'Brien proves that Massachusetts voters don't forget and our poll proves John Kerry could be humiliated in his home state in a race against President Bush.