A poll by Harvard University researchers shows presidential hopeful John Kerry’s stances on war, the job market and gay marriage have given him a lead with college students.

The study, done by Harvard’s Institute of Politics, pulled Kerry 10 percentage points ahead of President Bush.

Karla Hardy, president of Students for Kerry and senior in sociology, said she agrees with the research.

Matthew Grewe, secretary for the ISU College Republicans and junior in meteorology, argued Bush’s and Kerry’s views aren’t all that different.

“John Kerry is in support of civil unions, just as the president is, so I don’t think that’s such a major issue,” he said.

“John Kerry isn’t that different from President Bush on the war in Iraq either. He might not have been in favor in the beginning, but he sees that we’re there now and we can’t pull out. The only difference is that Kerry is trying to get the [United Nations] involved. I believe that President Bush has tried to get the U.N. involved too.”

Grewe said he believes there is a reason Kerry is doing well with college students.

He said college students may favor Kerry more because there are more Democrats on campuses.

Grewe’s argument is in line with the research, which stated traditional liberals comprise the dominant group on college campuses.

However, it also showed college students are more difficult to classify as liberals or conservatives because of their mixed views on several topics.

Hardy said students are harder to identify because of the various opinions of college students.

“I do feel like we have a more conservative group at Iowa State,” she said.

“It is hard to tell, though, because we don’t go along with traditional lines.”

Hardy said she believes Kerry can only gain momentum on the ISU campus.

“As the issues of Iraq and the economy hit closer to home, young people are going to start paying attention,” she said. “I think that this year, we’re going to see people waking up and seeing that the status quo is not the best for our nation. We have the right and the responsibility to change that.”

Grewe said he feels the campus will favor Bush as the election closes in.

“I think on a college campus, there’s really only momentum for the president here, because I think John Kerry has got all the support that he’s going to get,” he said.

“If you look at the people that are undecided or in the middle, you will find them in favor of Bush’s opinions.”

Sarai Arnold, member of Students for Kerry and junior in biology, said there is really no way to predict how college students will vote in November.

“In the fall, we are going to get new students, and we have no idea what those people hold [as important in the election],” she said.