Deeply Polarized Nation Heads Into '04 Campaign

Voters Split on Handling Of Iraq and Economy

Voter interviews suggest that Bush has made few converts among those who voted against him in 2000, while some of those who backed him say they may not do so again unless there is clear improvement in the jobs picture and stabilization of the violence in Iraq.

A year ago, Bush's Republican supporters, motivated to cast an affirmative vote for his leadership, produced historic Republican gains in the midterm elections. A year out from the 2004 elections, Democrats appear just as eager to vote to deny him a second term -- if they can produce a strong candidate with a compelling message.