A new poll from ABC News and the Washington Post shows President Obama with a seven point lead over former Massachusetts Gov. and likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney among registered voters nationally, as the vast majority of Americans still think the economy is in a recession but are feeling better about the way Obama is handling the situation. The President’s overall approval rating in the poll is up to 50 percent, against 45 percent who disapprove, flipped from a negative 46 – 50 split in ABC/WaPo’s polling a month ago.
Obama’s approval on the economy is up to 44 percent against 54 percent who disapprove, from a very negative 38 – 59 split in ABC/WaPo’s March polling. Romney retains a four point lead on who would be better to lead the country on the economy, but suffers from a perception that he is out of touch with real Americans on the issue. When asked “Regardless of who you may support, who do you think better understands the economic problems people in this country are having?” the President outpaces the former governor 49 – 37.
There also remains a major gender gap amongst the candidates, as the debate over contraception and health care that raged in DC in the first part of the year has soured many unaffiliated women voters on Republican candidates. From the Post:
Romney is up eight percentage points among male voters but trails by 19 among women. Among independent voters, one of the most watched groups in the electorate, the two men are closely paired, with 48 percent supporting Romney and 46 percent backing Obama.
In addition to his big lead among women — Obama won that demographic by 13 points in 2008 — the president is moving to secure other key elements of his winning coalition. As he did four years ago, he has overwhelming support from African Americans — 90 percent back his reelection effort — and he has a big lead among those ages 18 to 29. As ever, one issue will be how many of these young adults register to vote and turn out.
