Poll: Kerry may be vulnerable

BOSTON. If John Kerry faces strong competition while running for re-election in the fall, he may be ousted, according to a poll released yesterday by 7NEWS and Suffolk University.

The poll showed that 51 percent of general election voters surveyed said they would welcome a new candidate, 38 percent said Kerry should be re-elected, and nine percent were undecided. Kerry showed the most weakness among independents, voters over the age of 55, and residents of Massachusetts’ southeastern counties.

Governor Deval Patrick also showed vulnerability: 41 percent of poll respondents said another candidate deserved a chance, 39 percent said Patrick should be re-elected, and 20 percent were undecided.