A new poll of candidate favorabilities show that just as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney seems to be wrapping up the Republican nomination for President, Americans seem to like him less.
New numbers from ABC News and the Washinton Post show President Obama viewed favorably by 53 percent of Americans versus 43 percent who see him unfavorably, while Romney has reached a new low in their polling, at a 34 – 50 split. “His unfavorable score is higher than Obama ever has received; it’s been exceeded by just one other Republican candidate this year, Newt Gingrich, and by only one top candidate in 28 years, Hillary Clinton in 2008,” ABC News pollster Gary Langer wrote. More from his analysis:
Romney’s got three challenges: comparatively weak support in core Republican groups, lower popularity than Obama’s in the political center and more Americans – about one in six – who’ve yet to form an opinion of him one way or the other.
Still, Romney may find better days ahead. The relatively high undecided group offers opportunity, should he prove able to win them over. And core Republicans may warm to him once the bruising GOP primary comes to a close, assuming he ultimately prevails.
The TPM Poll Average of all public polling shows Romney in a better position on his personal rating, down about eight points.
