A new national poll from CBS News shows President Obama down two points to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a direct matchup, 47 – 45. Other Republican candidates compete against Obama as well with Rep. Ron Paul only down a single point at 46 – 45, and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum with only a four point deficit at 47 – 43.
CBS analysis said it’s all about independent voters in the general election data, as no candidate (President Obama or any GOP one) seems to be able to attract a significant portion of the other sides’ party faithful. From CBSnews.com:
If the general election were held today, it would break down along highly partisan lines no matter who gets the Republican nomination. A large percentage of Republicans rally be hind any of the Republican nominees, though Romney does the best among registered Republicans with 90% of their vote. About nine in 10 Democrats pick Barack Obama over any of the Republican candidates. Independents show a preference for both Mitt Romney and Ron Paul over Barack Obama, though independents choose the President over the rest of the field.
