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.”

A Texas Tribune poll finds Mitt Romney crushing President Obama in the Lone Star state, 55% to 35%.

A Sooner Poll in Oklahoma finds Romney headed for a landslide, 62% to 27%.

President Obama said that attacks on Mitt Romney’s experience at Bain Capital were fair game and that Romney’s years heading the private equity firm were “worthy of serious debate,” the New York Times reports.

Said Obama: “This is not a distraction. This is what this campaign is going to be about.”

“Obama’s comments were his first explicit endorsement of his campaign’s aggressive strategy attacking Bain Capital. The Obama campaign’s full-throated assault, through ads, statements and Web videos, is now in its second week and portrays Mr. Romney in highly personal and unflattering ways.”

A new Texas Tribune poll finds David Dewhurst (R) leading Ted Cruz (R) in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, 40% to 31%, with Tom Leppert running a distant third at 17%.

In the Democratic race, Paul Sadler (D) is ahead of Sean Hubbard (D), 29% to 25%, with Addie Dainell Allen at 19% and Grady Yarbrough at 15%.

“Yes, and some Americans who will remain nameless really extol the virtues of no cooperation. It’s really my way or the highway.”

— Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), quoted by WXIN-TV, when asked if he saw a lack of cooperation amongst Americans and apparently still not over his Senate primary defeat earlier this month.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that robocalls made by Sarah Palin to influence the outcome of the Republican U.S. Senate primary in Texas were actually going to voters in Kansas.

Said Palin: “Hello, Texas! I’m Sarah Palin.”

Palin is backing Ted Cruz (R) in the May 29 primary that includes David Dewhurst (R) and Tom Leppert (R).

In an interview on NBC News, David Axelrod criticized Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s comments yesterday that attacks on Mitt Romney’s record at Bain Capital made him “uncomfortable.”

Said Axelrod: “In this particular instance, he was just wrong. There were specific instances here that speak to an economic theory that isn’t the right theory for the country.”

He added: “I love Cory Booker. He’s a great mayor. If my house was on fire, I’d hope he was my next door neighbor.”

“If you have led a productive life, you have to wonder if it’s worth your time being here.”

— Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), quoted by the Memphis Commercial Appeal, in deciding to run for re-election, adding he’s become “more optimistic” the Senate can still work.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, will host a July fundraiser for Mitt Romney at their home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The event will help the likely Republican nominee tap any donors to former President George W. Bush who remain on the sidelines, while fueling Democratic efforts to tie Romney to President Obama’s predecessor.”