President rebuilds popularity within Democratic Party

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 6

President rebuilds popularity within Democratic Party

NZPA New-York • President Carter halted a perilous slide in , his esteem! among Democrats, with the news conference last weekon his brother Billy’s links to Libya, according to the latest - -New York TimesC.B.S. News poll. However, the poll, indicates he made far less -impact on Republicans and Independents and that he approaches the General Election campaign running far behind Ronald Reagan.

When the President conducted his nationally televised appearance, one week before the opening of the Democratic national convention -later today,, he had slipped back and- was even with Senator Edward Kennedy.

Among Democrats interviewed before the news conference, the President and the senator each had 43 per cent i support. - - -.. . After the conference, however, Democrats swung behind the President, 57 per cent to 32 per cent. Republicans and Independents gave Mr Carter increased credit for. truthfulness, after hearing him, but they were not moved to say they would vote for him in the'election. ' ■

Over-all, Mr Reagan, led Mr Cartier 47 to 27 ? per cent with’l3 per cent for John Aoderson and the rest undecided among the probable

electorate, a model of adult Americans that has been weighted for likelihood of voting. The .Administration acyesterday that Ruth Carter Stapleton, President Carter’s sister, accepted expenses: from a businessman for a trip to the Middle East earlier this year, but insisted she.-; never discussed her political, views on the Middle East - with the President. ?! '

The White. House - spokesman, Jody Powell, said. Mrs

Stapleton said she has nd interest ip Middle East politics, but realised she had been used to help make impressive business contacts for her-benefactor. ;

The “Washington Star” quoted Mrs, Stapleton on Saturday as saying the press was trying “to make something real new”.out of the trip because of Billy Carter’s troubles over his Libyan connections.. “That’s wearing out, and now they want to get something on me. They can’t hurt me. I am clean," she said.

According to the: "Sunday Express” in London Billy Carter says he..intends to vote for his., brother in. the election —. just with the idea of keeping. Jimmy away from their Georgia hometown, Plains.

“I get enough trouble from him when he’s in Washington,” the President’s brother said in an interview. "I sure as hell -wouldn’t want him back down here in .Plains;” ’< w-Y