(Week of 5/26/2012) The fall horse-race remains close, with the President holding on to a small lead over presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney. In this week’s Economist/YouGov Poll, 46% of registered voters say they would support the President if the November election were being held today, while 43% say they would vote for Romney.
The crucial independent vote splits slightly in favor of the President this week: 45% of independent voters choose Obama, 38% Romney, with 17% undecided or saying they will vote for someone else. In 2008, Obama carried independent voters.
The two men are not very different in terms of how favorably registered voters view them. Both are slightly more likely to be seen unfavorably than they are to be seen favorably.
The latest Economist/YouGov poll continues to show the President’s approval rating hovering in the low 40s. This week, 42% of Americans approve of the President’s
job performance, while 52% disapprove.
Just 39% approve of the way the President is handling the economy, the issue Americans believe is the most important. 54% disapprove of the way he is handling it.
However, as in previous weeks, the public continues to expect President Obama to win the election. 43% say they believe the President is likely to win; 26% think Romney will win. 22% think both men have an equal chance of winning. Just 8% of Democrats expect the President to lose; 13% of Republicans are currently assuming their candidate will lose.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can be found here
Photo source: Press Association
