Obama retakes lead over Romney nationally, finds poll

Washington - President Barack Obama has recaptured a narrow national lead over Republican rival Mitt Romney, getting increased support from women and an edge in early voting.

A new POLITICO/George Washington University Battleground Tracking Poll of 1,000 likely voters shows Obama ahead of Romney by 1 percentage point, 49 percent to 48 percent nationally.

Obama leads by eight percentage points among those who have already voted, 53 percent to 45 percent.

These early voters represent 15 percent of the electorate, with many more expected to vote in the next few days, though Hurricane Sandy could change that, Politico reports.

The poll found that nearly 60 percent of those who support Obama said that they are “extremely likely” to vote as compared to 73 percent who backed Romney.

Among this group, Romney leads Obama by nine points, 53 percent to 44 percent.

The poll found that the race is, however, neck and neck with 43 percent saying that they will “definitely” vote Romney as compared to 42 percent who said the same for Obama.

According to the poll, Obama leads among women by 11 points, 54 percent to 43 percent.
 
Men, meanwhile, support Romney over Obama by 12 points, 55 percent to 43 percent.

Obama also has a 50 percent job approval rating nationally, with 51 percent personal favorability rating and 54 percent expecting him to win regardless of whom they are supporting.

The poll also found that nearly six in 10 disapprove of how the president is handling the budget and spending. And 56 percent believe the country is on the wrong track — 48 percent strongly so.

Romney, however, is favored by 5 points, 51 percent to 46 percent, both on the questions of which candidate will better grow the economy and create more jobs.