A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows President Obama and Mitt Romney are locked in a dead heat over who could fix the country’s economic problems, 47% to 47%.
When asked where they stand financially compared with when Obama took office, 30% say they are worse off, and only 16% say they are better off.
“There is not a widespread sense that things would be better had Romney
been president for the past three-plus years, but for the incumbent it
is a critical measure. On this question, Obama’s numbers continue to
resemble those of George H.W. Bush, who lost his bid for reelection in
1992 amid a flagging economy.”
However, in a general election match up, Obama still leads Romney, 49% to 46%.
Amy Walter:
“On the one-hand, the fact that President Obama is statistically tied
with Mitt Romney, even as his approval rating on handling the economy is
a dismal 42 percent suggests a strong Obama brand. Voters are unhappy
with the economy, but haven’t yet given up on the President. On the
other hand, these numbers are like a ticking time bomb. If the economy
doesn’t improve, and if Romney can present himself as a reasonable
alternative, there’s nowhere for Obama’s numbers to go but down.”