Nation: Kennedy's Lead Is Shrinking

A TIME poll shows Carter is within ten points of his rival

As long as Senator Edward M. Kennedy was not a candidate for the presidential nomination, he held a 2-to-1 lead over Jimmy Carter in most public opinion surveys. But now, just as he has officially declared his candidacy, his lead has been reduced to only ten percentage points, 49% to 39%. This sharp change is partly a rallying of Southern support behind Carter, partly a growing belief that Kennedy is "too liberal." Kennedy nonetheless remains the strongest Democratic candidate against all Republicans....

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