Poll Watch: NBC News/Marist Iowa 2012 Presidential Survey

NBC News/Marist Iowa 2012 Presidential Poll

• Barack Obama 44% [46%] (43%)
• Mitt Romney 44% [39%] (40%)

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Barack Obama 48% / 45% {+3%}
• Mitt Romney 43% / 43% {0%}

Which candidate will do a better job handling the economy?

• Mitt Romney 46%
• Barack Obama 41%

Which candidate comes closer to your views on social issues such as abortion, contraception, and same-sex marriage?

• Barack Obama 45%
• Mitt Romney 43%

Which is more important in deciding your vote for president?

• The economy 71%
• Social issues 22%

Which candidate will do a better job handling foreign policy?

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 36%

Which candidate will do a better job handling the national debt?

• Mitt Romney 52%
• Barack Obama 34%

Which candidate best understands the problems of people like yourself?

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 38%

Do you approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing as president?

• Approve 46% [43%] (42%)
• Disapprove 45% [46%] (47%)

Survey of 1,106 registered voters was conducted May 22-24, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3.0 percentage points.  Party ID: 35% Republican; 34% Democrat; 31% Independent.  Ideology: 34% Moderate; 34% Conservative; 17% Liberal; 11% Very conservative; 3% Very liberal.  Results from the poll conducted November 27-29, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted October 3-5, 2011 are in parentheses.