Washington:
US President Barack Obama holds a narrow lead over Mitt Romney, but his Republican rival is gaining ground and perceived as stronger on the economy, a poll showed on Thursday.
The Quinnipiac University poll gave President Obama a narrow 46-42 per cent lead over Mr Romney, but the Republican is leading on economic issues, which are expected to be key in November's presidential election.
Mr Romney, a businessman and former Massachusetts governor, all but clinched his party's nomination earlier this month when chief rival Rick Santorum suspended his campaign.
Mr Romney beat Mr Obama 47-43 per cent in the survey on the overall economy, and led 45-42 per cent on creating jobs, 44-31 per cent on gas prices and 43-39 per cent on immigration.
But Mr Obama retains a lead of 49-39 per cent among women and has a decisive 64-24 per cent advantage among Hispanics, expected to be a key voting bloc in battleground states like Florida, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.
However, most voters have an unfavourable opinion of the president, at 49 per cent, compared to 45 per cent who have a positive view of him. Most voters, 49-46 per cent, believe he does not deserve a second term.
Nevertheless, 81 per cent of voters say the incumbent president is likable while Mr Romney clinched just 63 per cent. "Obama has a big lead among women and is seen as the candidate most in tune with their needs. He is seen as more in touch with average Americans," Peter Brown, assistant director of the polling institute, said in a statement.
"Romney seems to hold an edge on the economy -- the top issue of the campaign -- and holds his own against the incumbent on being a strong leader.
"His opening is that by 56-38 per cent, voters disapprove of the president's handling of the economy," Brown said.
The poll was carried out April 11-17, with 2,577 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 per cent.
The Quinnipiac University poll gave President Obama a narrow 46-42 per cent lead over Mr Romney, but the Republican is leading on economic issues, which are expected to be key in November's presidential election.
Mr Romney, a businessman and former Massachusetts governor, all but clinched his party's nomination earlier this month when chief rival Rick Santorum suspended his campaign.
Mr Romney beat Mr Obama 47-43 per cent in the survey on the overall economy, and led 45-42 per cent on creating jobs, 44-31 per cent on gas prices and 43-39 per cent on immigration.
But Mr Obama retains a lead of 49-39 per cent among women and has a decisive 64-24 per cent advantage among Hispanics, expected to be a key voting bloc in battleground states like Florida, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.
However, most voters have an unfavourable opinion of the president, at 49 per cent, compared to 45 per cent who have a positive view of him. Most voters, 49-46 per cent, believe he does not deserve a second term.
Nevertheless, 81 per cent of voters say the incumbent president is likable while Mr Romney clinched just 63 per cent. "Obama has a big lead among women and is seen as the candidate most in tune with their needs. He is seen as more in touch with average Americans," Peter Brown, assistant director of the polling institute, said in a statement.
"Romney seems to hold an edge on the economy -- the top issue of the campaign -- and holds his own against the incumbent on being a strong leader.
"His opening is that by 56-38 per cent, voters disapprove of the president's handling of the economy," Brown said.
The poll was carried out April 11-17, with 2,577 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 per cent.
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