President Obama and Mitt Romney are
effectively tied in the race for the presidency, according to a new CBS
News/New York Times survey.
Forty-seven percent of registered voters
nationwide who lean towards a candidate back Romney, while 46 percent support
the president. Four percent are undecided. The one percentage point difference
is within the survey's three point margin of error.
Romney leads by eight points among men; the
president leads by five points among women.
The president's supporters are more likely
to strongly back their candidate. Fifty-two percent strongly favor Mr. Obama,
while just 29 percent of Romney voters strongly back the presumptive Republican
nominee.
More than one in three Romney voters say
they are supporting Romney primarily because they dislike Mr. Obama. Only eight
percent of Obama supporters say their support for the president is tied to
their dislike of Romney.
Republicans are more enthusiastic than
Democrats when it comes to voting in this election, though just one in three
registered voters overall are more enthusiastic than they were in the past.
Roughly half of Republicans say they are more enthusiastic compared to past
elections - up from 36 percent in March - while just 27 percent of Democrats
say they same.
One in five registered voters with a
candidate choice said they still might change their mind. The percentage of
those willing to switch was essentially the same for both candidates.
Forty-five percent of registered voters say
they are paying close attention to the campaign, and another 38 percent say
they are paying some attention. Seventeen percent say they are paying little or
no attention.
Fifty-four percent of registered voters
cite the economy and jobs as "extremely" important in their
presidential vote, more than any other issue. Here Romney has the edge: 49
percent of registered voters say he would do a better job handling the economy
and jobs, while 41 percent cite Mr. Obama.
Romney is also seen as better on the
federal budget deficit (50 percent to 36 percent), taxes (47 percent to 42
percent) and illegal immigration (46 percent to 38 percent). Mr. Obama as seen
as better on foreign policy (47 percent to 40 percent) and social issues (48
percent to 37 percent). Views of the candidates on health care and terrorism
were split.
Thirty-eight percent of registered voters
say Mr. Obama cares a lot about their needs and problems, compared to 25 percent
who say the same of Romney. Registered voters were slightly more likely to say
that Mr. Obama says what he believes (45 percent) than to say that Romney says
what he believes (37 percent).
Only 28 percent believe Mr. Obama has
fulfilled his promise to deliver positive change for the country. Fifty-eight
percent say he has not delivered change, while seven percent say he has
delivered change that has been bad for the country.
Mr. Obama's overall approval rating stands
at 44 percent, with 46 percent disapproving. His approval rating on the economy
is just 39 percent - 55 percent disapprove - and his approval rating on foreign
policy is 41 percent. His approval rating on the economy has dropped five
points since April.
Both candidates have net unfavorable ratings.
Forty-eight percent of registered voters view the president unfavorably, while
36 percent view him favorably. Romney is viewed unfavorably by 36 percent and
favorably by 32 percent. Nearly one in three say they do not yet have an
opinion about the presumptive Republican nominee.
Seven in ten Americans say the economy is
in bad shape. While 24 percent say it is getting better - down from 33 percent
in April - 30 percent say it is getting worse. That marks the highest
percentage who say the economy is getting worse since December.
Two in five Americans say they are very
concerned someone in their household will lose their job
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