Obama Just Ahead Nationally

A new Associated Press/GfK poll finds President Obama slightly ahead of Mitt Romney in the presidential race, 47% to 44%.

Key finding: “About half — 49% — approve of how Obama is handling his job as president, dropping him below the 50% mark he was above in May. Disapproval of Obama is highest — 55% — for his handling of the economy. Still, registered voters are split virtually evenly on whether Romney or Obama would do a better job improving it.”

Meanwhile, a new Public Policy Polling survey shows Obama leading 49% to 45%.