US President George W. Bush has taken a lead over Democrat John Kerry among key groups such as Catholics and those with a high school education - largely because of voter doubts about Mr Kerry, a poll suggests.
Mr Bush was backed by 48 per cent and Mr Kerry by 40 per cent among registered voters in the poll by the Pew Research Centre for the People & the Press.
Mr Bush has gained ground on Mr Kerry, even though he has less of an advantage on who would be best in handling Iraq - now 46 per cent for Bush and 38 per cent for Mr Kerry.
Mr Kerry inspires more confidence than the president on handling the economy but trails by 24 percentage points on handling terrorism.
The two are even among women and young adults. Mr Bush has a 49-39 lead among Catholics and a 50-37 lead among those with a high-school education - groups that Mr Kerry needs to win.
The poll of 948 registered voters was taken earlier this week.
AP