Poll Watch: POLITICO/George Washington University 2012 Battleground Poll

POLITICO/GWU 2012 Battleground Poll

• Barack Obama 50% [48%] (47%) {53%} [49%]
• Mitt Romney 47% [47%] (48%) {43%} [43%] 

(Among Obama Voters) Would you say that your vote for Barack Obama is more of a vote for Barack Obama, or a vote against Mitt Romney?

• For Obama 75% [77%]
• Against Romney 19% [18%]

(Among Romney Voters) Would you say that your vote for Mitt Romney is more of a vote for Mitt Romney, or a vote against Barack Obama?

• For Romney 47% [39%]
• Against Obama 42% [52%]

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Barack Obama 53% [50%] / 45% [47%] {+8%}
• Paul Ryan 41% / 36% {+5%}
• Joe Biden 43% / 45% {-2%}
• Mitt Romney 46% [46%] / 49% [46%] {-3%}

How would you rate the job Barack Obama has been doing as President? Do you approve or disapprove of the job he is doing?

• Approve 50% [49%]
• Disapprove 47% [50%]

I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue.

The Economy

• Approve 48% [44%]
• Disapprove 51% [54%]

Foreign Policy

• Approve 50% [52%]
• Disapprove 45% [43%]

The Federal Budget and Spending 

• Approve 40% [37%]
• Disapprove 57% [61%]

Taxes

• Approve 51% [46%]
• Disapprove 46% [50%]

Medicare

• Approve 50%
• Disapprove 44%

Standing Up for the Middle Class

• Approve 58%
• Disapprove 39%

I would like to read you a list of issues that some people have said are important to them. Please tell me, for each one, who will better handle this issue -- Mitt Romney or Barack Obama.

Jobs

• Barack Obama 48% [44%]
• Mitt Romney 48% [50%] 

The Economy

• Barack Obama 49% [44%] 
• Mitt Romney 48% [49%]
  

Standing Up for the Middle Class

• Barack Obama 57% [54%] 
  
• Mitt Romney 38% [40%]
  

Taxes

• Barack Obama 50% [47%] 
  
• Mitt Romney 46% [47%]
  

Medicare

• Barack Obama 52% 
  
• Mitt Romney 43%
  

Foreign Policy

• Barack Obama 52% [54%] 
  
• Mitt Romney 43% [39%]
  

The Federal Budget and Spending

• Mitt Romney 50%
  
• Barack Obama 45%

Regardless of who you intend to vote for – which candidate for President do you think is going to win the election?

• Barack Obama 60% [56%] 
  
• Mitt Romney 30% [33%]
  

Survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted September 16-20, 2012 by The Tarrance Group (R) and Lake Research Partners (D). The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points. Party ID: 43% [44%] Democrat; 40% [40%] Republican; 15% [15%] Independent.  Ideology: 21% [24%] Very conservative; 36% [33%] Somewhat conservative; 26% [26%] Somewhat liberal; 12% [11%] Very liberal.  Click here to view crosstabs. Results from the poll conducted August 5-9, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted April 29 - May 3, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted February 19-22, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted November 6-9, 2011 are in square brackets.