Poll shows Obama with double-digit national lead - KMSP-TV

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Barack Obama has built a double-digit lead over Mitt Romney despite skepticism about the president's handling of the economy and the deficit, a new Bloomberg National Poll found. The poll is at odds with other surveys showing a much tighter contest.

Six in 10 people surveyed said the country is on the wrong track, and a majority disapproved of Obama's performance on the economy. But Romney continues to struggle with low favorability ratings, and 55 percent of likely voters said the Republican candidate is more out of touch with average Americans than the president. Among likely voters, Obama leads Romney 53 percent to 40 percent, according to the Bloomberg poll.

The poll suggests many voters are trying to choose between two candidates they consider flawed. And while the president received low marks on the economy and the deficit, Romney's perceived weaknesses appear to outweigh questions about the president's performance in the minds of many.

The former Massachusetts governor fared poorly on questions of likeability and relatability. A range of queries revealed some voters' discomfort with Romney, with most saying they would prefer to sit next to Obama on a long flight and most rating the president as better at understanding their problems.

Poll respondents found plenty to dislike about Obama's administration, but many were not convinced that Romney is better suited to handle the job.

The Republican candidate has made his business background a central part of his pitch, but 49 percent of those surveyed said his experience as a private-equity executive didn't make him better prepared to create jobs as president, compared with 45 percent who viewed that as a plus.

The poll also asked whether people were better off now than at the beginning of 2009. Of those polled, 45 percent said they are better off, 36 percent said they're worse off and 17 percent saying they were about the same.

The Bloomberg poll diverges from several other national polls, which have reflected a much closer race for president. The most recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey, which was conducted last month, showed Obama leading 47 percent to 43 percent.

The results of the WSJ/NBC poll included the responses of registered voters, while the Bloomberg pollsters said they surveyed likely voters between June 15 and 18. The Bloomberg poll, which was conducted by Selzer & Co., included 1,002 adults. The questions posed to 734 likely voters have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

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