WASHINGTON -- President George Bush and Sen. John Kerry are tied, at 49 percent support among likely voters in 12 battleground states, USA Today reports.

In a USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll taken Friday through Sunday, nationwide, among the larger pool of registered voters, Bush leads Kerry 51 percent to 46 percent, compared with 49 percent to 46 percent a week ago. Bush's advantage in both groups is within the poll's margin of error 3 percentage points.

Independent Ralph Nader continued to receive 1 percent support.

There is growing speculation about an unprecedented outcome, the newspaper said. Bush, who moved into the White House after losing the popular vote and winning the Electoral College, could win the popular vote but lose the Electoral College this year.

However, chief strategist for the Bush campaign, Matthew Dowd dismisses the idea of another divided outcome.

"When we win the popular vote by 3 or 4 points, we'll carry the battlegrounds," he said.

Copyright 2004 by United Press International