The Hiller Instinct: 7News-Suffolk Poll: Kerry’s Home State

Kerry comes to the convention leading President Bush state-wide by a two to one margin, but still showing why he could lose the election…

Political Ad
"Though John Kerry voted in Oct 2002 for military action in Iraq, he later voted against funding our soldiers."

The president has invested millions of dollars on ads portraying Kerry as a flip-flopper... and our poll shows the picture sticks.

Asked whether Kerry flip-flops on issues, 60 percent said yes, 31percent no in our exclusive poll with Suffolk University.

Professor David Paleologos, Suffolk University Pollster
"It won't affect their vote in Massachusetts, but it may play in other states, especially the swing states."

Andy Hiller
"Badly?"

Professor David Paleologos, Suffolk University Pollster
"It could be the difference between winning and losing."

And if Kerry thinks John Edwards is a perfect running mate, our poll says think again.

When we asked, "is Edwards ready to be president?" 45 percent said yes, but 42 percent, almost as many, said no."

Professor David Paleologos, Suffolk University Pollster
"And when you look behind the numbers, and you look at just un-enrolled or independent voters, more independent voters believe that he's not ready to be president."

Another possible bad sign for Kerry, Massachusetts voters don't believe the president lied about Iraq. Asked whether Bush intentionally misled the nation about the need to invade Iraq, 43 percent said yes, but 47 percent said no.

Professor David Paleologos, Suffolk University Pollster
"It means that the president has an opportunity to hold serve in a very delicate topic, like the Iraq war."

And even our finding that 49 percent expect Kerry to be the next president, compared to 31percent for Bush, isn't as good for Kerry as it sounds.

Professor David Paleologos, Suffolk University Pollster
"The most important finding in this question is that less than half of people believe John Kerry will be the next president, 49 percent, and we're in Massachusetts."

And just one more number for now -- attention Mitt Romney! More than half the voters we surveyed, 53 percent, believe the governor will run for president in the future.