(Week of 8/11/2012) So far, Mitt Romney’s announcement that Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan will be his vice-presidential running mate has helped the Republican presidential candidate little in his contest against President Barack Obama: in last week’s Economist/YouGov Poll, Romney and the incumbent were a point apart as the choice of registered voters. This week the President leads Romney by three points, 47% to 44%.
Independent voters have changed little in the last week. Romney led the President 48% to 37% a week ago, and continues to hold a double-digit lead with this key group, 50% to 36%.
Nor has Romney’s selection of Ryan made his supporters see the contest in a more positive light. Prior to the Ryan announcement, a strong majority of Romney supporters (61%) said they were mostly voting against President Obama, not for Mitt Romney. After the Ryan announcement, those numbers have stayed nearly identical. Romney supporters continue to be motivated primarily by a desire to oust President Obama rather than a strong desire to elect Mitt Romney.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can be found here
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