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Subscribe to RSSAccording to the latest NBC/WSJ poll, President Obama had a five-point lead when survey participants were asked who they would vote for, and 42 percent of those surveyed believe the economy will get better under Obama. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.
Fueled by increased optimism about the economy and nation’s direction, President Barack Obama leads Mitt Romney by 5 points among likely voters and now sees his job-approval rating reaching the 50 percent threshold for the first time since March, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.
The survey – which was conducted after the two party conventions and the political firestorm over last week’s U.S. Embassy attacks, but before Romney’s controversial comments about the 47 percent of the country “who are dependent on government” – shows the percentages believing that the country is headed in the right direction and thinking that the economy will improve at their highest levels since 2009.
In the presidential horse race, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden get the support of 50 percent of likely voters, while Romney and running mate Paul Ryan get 45 percent.
National Review and Bloomberg View's Ramesh Ponnuru, Roll Call's Shira Toeplitz and The Hotline's Reid Wilson take a look at the latest numbers out of the NBC, Wall Street Journal and Marist poll and talk about how battleground states may play out for the presidential candidates.
NBC/WSJ poll: Obama's approval on foreign policy drops
Among a wider sample of registered voters, the president’s lead is 6 points, 50 percent to 44 percent – up from Obama’s 4-point edge last month, 48 percent to 44 percent.
“It’s clear to me that Barack Obama has moved a … step ahead,” says Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff.
Evan Vucci / AP
President Barack Obama waves as he boards Air Force One on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012 in Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
Yet Hart cautions, “It’s a step and only a step.”
Read the full poll here (.pdf)
For his part, McInturff adds that the presidential race may very well have seen an inflection point. “The president is in a stronger position than he was before the convention.”
But noting similarities between the current numbers and those from the 2004 George W. Bush vs. John Kerry race, he urges that this contest could be just as competitive.
“If you look at ’04 as a model, ’04 was really close. And that’s how we should continue to think about the campaign.”
Economic optimism on the rise
According to the survey, 39 percent of registered voters say the country is on the right track, versus 55 percent who say it’s on the wrong track.
The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd reports on a statement that may significantly damage Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.
That right-track number is a 7-point increase from August, and it’s the highest percentage on this question since Sept. 2009.
Forty-two percent of voters also believe the economy will improve in the next 12 months, which is a 6-point jump from August, and a 15-point rise from July.
NBC/WSJ poll: Optimism in Obama presidency increases
What’s more, 47 percent of registered voters approve of the president’s handling of the economy – up 3 points from last month. Obama’s overall job-approval rating stands at 50 percent for the first time since March.
And 38 percent say the country is better off than it was when he became president, which is a 7-point increase from August. But a plurality of voters – 41 percent – maintain that the country is worse off; 21 percent say it’s in the same place.
Obama vs. Romney on the issues
While none of these numbers is ideal for a president facing re-election, Obama is now tied with Romney (43 percent to 43 percent) on which candidate would be better on the economy. In July, Romney held a 6-point advantage on this question.
Hart, the Democratic pollster, says this finding is potentially ominous for Romney. “Simply put, if Romney doesn’t win on dealing with the economy, he doesn’t win.”
On other issues, Obama leads Romney on dealing with taxes (45 percent to 39 percent) and on dealing with Medicare (47 percent to 37 percent).
And the president is ahead of his Republican challenger on three character traits – being a good commander in chief (45 percent to 38 percent), dealing with issues of concern to women (54 percent to 26 percent), and looking out for the middle class (53 percent to 34 percent).
NBC's Chuck Todd says, "Mitt Romney is not a good campaigner" and still must answer questions regarding his comments that were caught on tape. A Morning Joe panel then debates whether Team Romney needs a campaign shakeup.
Comparing 2012 to 2004
Although Obama enjoys these advantages over Romney, the numbers in the NBC/WSJ poll bear a striking resemblance to those from 2004, when Bush narrowly beat Kerry.
And that has McInturff, the GOP pollster, cautioning that this year’s race could be equally close, despite Obama’s current lead.
Read the full poll here (.pdf)
Indeed, in the Sept. 2004 NBC/WSJ poll, 39 percent believed the country was on the right track (versus 39 percent now); 43 percent thought the economy would improve in the next year (versus 42 percent now); and Bush led Kerry by three points among likely voters (versus Obama’s 5-point edge now).
The NBC/WSJ poll was conducted Sept. 12-16 of 900 registered voters (including 270 by cell phone), and it has margin of error of plus-minus 3.3 percentage points. In that sample, the survey also identified 736 likely voters, and the margin of error there is plus-minus 3.6 percentage points.
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I just saw an old Republican friend who was wearing an Obama Button. When I asked if he was a democrat he said yes, he had the operation a week ago. I asked what did they do to you? He replied they cut off his balls, to which I said "Didn't that hurt?" He said yes but it hurt more when they took out half of his brain.
Now we know what is wrong with the Feisty Redhead with the Clap.
Tom- Old joke and I will admit I laughed when I heard it with Republican and Bush inserted. So nice try!
"poor Mitt he was born with a silver foot in his mouth"
"The Romney campaign is so dead, that the Mormons just baptized it"
Rasmussen Report poll. "Among those who RARELY OR NEVER attend church or other religious services, Obama leads by 22 percentage points. AMONG THOSE WHO ATTEND SERVICES WEEKLY, Romney leads by 24." Among people who go to church now and then, they're pretty much equal.
In the early 1960's nearly 90% of Catholics attended Mass every Sunday. Today, in some places it is as low as 20%.
There is your problem.
GING, that's your problem pal, not mine. I see no problem at all.
I got no problem with that either.
I think we are Fu*ked with who ever is president come January.
These two will destroy this country be on repair just like Bush did. Many things
Bush did should have been Obama top priority to reverses. Obama went ahead and added
to the bush Fu*ck ups And Romney will put every person in this country out of
work.
I don't know why Obama has such a strong following. Granted, Romney isn't an ideal candidate, but Obama has avoided trying to solve any of the nation's long term problems and the policies that he promotes make our future more precarious.
Ever heard of the senate filibuster?
Jim.....The Senate hasn't filibustered anything meaningful that would help our country long term. Obama or the democrats have to propose something good first. I don't consider his Jobs bill good because it basically says to our children.....you are not going to have any money for infrastructure because you will be too busy paying off the debt we accumulated to resurface roads and support failing green energy companies.
Muslim/Biden 2012 - Everything Obama touches is a disaster. There is not one societal issue that is not in disarray. This guy has taken Bush's mess and made it even worse. I's so bad the horse is running the wrong way on the track.
I just want you to know, I feel your pain. Care for a hanky???
On food stamps, don't vote, you don't have voting rights.
What about draft dodgers like Willard???
You need an attitude adjustment. Like being in a situation where you need more help than the ppl around you can provide.
A landslide in the making. Why do Republicans do this every time they get to be in the majority?
We understand Rethuglicans,polls are bias toward one candidate,when your on the losing side,but not so much when they say your candidate is ahead. Flip-Flop just like you mentor Mittens.
This is not 2004. Bush ran on being a wartime president and we were at war. There was a lot of fear and support for the war even though Skepticism was on the rise. Kerry wasn't a strong enough candidate either.
That being said, IT'S OVER MITT!!!!! The money going to your Superpacs will dry up in about 2 weeks.
Neither Obama or Biden will lose their debates, a draw at the worst.
Plus, this poll was taken before your latest "open mouth, insert foot" gaffe.
GOODBYE, go back to firing people.
Jerry - This is an NBC poll (skewed and meaningless). The Gallop poll was taken today and is a real poll.
32% strong-ish Democrats vs. 25% strong-ish Republicans and Obama can only get a 5 point lead. Great work NBC. (sarcasm)
Strong Democrat ............................................... 22
Not very strong Democrat ................................. 10
Independent/lean Democrat .............................. 10
Strictly Independent .......................................... 16
Independent/lean Republican ............................ 12
Not very strong Republican ............................... 7
Strong Republican ............................................. 18
Other (VOL) ....................................................... 2
Not sure ........................................................... 3
In the real world:
"Obama's convention bounce vanishes in Gallup poll"
"Gallup's seven-day rolling average indicates that 47% of registered voters supporting Obama and 46% supporting Romney, returning the race back to narrow, pre-convention margins."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/18/obamas-convention-bump-vanishes/?hpt=hp_t2
P.S. Just because liberals are used to being lied to by politicians and can't handle reality doesn't make it a "gaffe" when one is direct and honest. Everyone knows Romney is 100% correct, why do you think more Americans than ever know that America is on the wrong track?
PutAmericaFirst- Obama is our long term problem. The socialist mentality. I love going tp the store and watching illegal aliens on food stamps eating better then me.
Hmm, you must be eating crap. You're certainly full of it enough. Please, don't cry.
So apparently the debates will actually have more significant weight than assumed!
Not really, Obama is finished. All the rhetoric and vitriol in the world cannot cover up the reality of his actions.
.
JerryK1- that poll is as accurate as Obama's view on the economy. Let's see. A net of 300,000 jobs created over 3 1/2 years with a price tag of $700,000.00 per job? I wouldn't let Obama run my shoe shine.
flip-flop, flip-flop , who is the greatest flip-flopper of them all. Obama has it hands down as the following will show.
Obama has raised the debt limits 3 times in 3.75 years and has asked for his fourth debt limited raise, so how does Obama feel about raising the debt limit? He tells you in this speech. Notice how he uses the word "debt" and explains its impact on our country and economy.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance
from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies.
And the cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on.
Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America's priorities. Instead,
interest payments are a significant tax on all Americans–a debt tax that Washington doesn't want to talk
about. If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we would see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies.
Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that "the buck stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.
I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit.
Sen. Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., (Senate – March 16, 2006)
nbc? Nothing But Con men what a joke , real polls have romney tied or ahead....
Bwa ha ha ha, co-sponsor Wall Street Journal is biased toward Progressives.....whew my sides hurt from laughing....
Bluecat - Instead of laughing you should be mad at them for lying to you and mad at yourself for letting yourself buy into it:
32% strong-ish Democrats vs. 25% strong-ish Republicans and Obama can only get a 5 point lead. Great work NBC. (sarcasm)
Strong Democrat ............................................... 22
Not very strong Democrat ................................. 10
Independent/lean Democrat .............................. 10
Strictly Independent .......................................... 16
Independent/lean Republican ............................ 12
Not very strong Republican ............................... 7
Strong Republican ............................................. 18
Other (VOL) ....................................................... 2
Not sure ........................................................... 3
In the real world:
"Obama's convention bounce vanishes in Gallup poll"
"Gallup's seven-day rolling average indicates that 47% of registered voters supporting Obama and 46% supporting Romney, returning the race back to narrow, pre-convention margins."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/18/obamas-convention-bump-vanishes/?hpt=hp_t2
Only 5 points for a standing President on a fixed poll.....not good....Bye Obama
Yeah, winning sucks sometimes.
"Hideous", "destructive", "wicked", and "perverted" are only some of the adjectives used by the Popes to describe socialism. From Pius IX to Benedict XVI, the popes have thoroughly and consistently condemned socialism.
PIUS XI (1922-1939)
Socialism Cannot Be Reconciled with Catholic Doctrine
“We make this pronouncement: Whether considered as a doctrine, or an historical fact, or a movement, Socialism, if it remains truly Socialism, even after it has yielded to truth and justice on the points which we have mentioned, cannot be reconciled with the teachings of the Catholic Church because its concept of society itself is utterly foreign to Christian truth.”
PIUS XII (1939-1958)
The Church Will Fight Socialism to the End
“[The Church undertook] the protection of the individual and the family against a current threatening to bring about a total socialization which in the end would make the specter of the 'Leviathan' become a shocking reality. The Church will fight this battle to the end, for it is a question of supreme values: the dignity of man and the salvation of souls." (“Radio message to the Katholikentag of Vienna,
JOHN XXIII (1958-1963)
“No Catholic could subscribe even to moderate socialism”
“Pope Pius XI further emphasized the fundamental opposition between Communism and Christianity, and made it clear that no Catholic could subscribe even to moderate Socialism. The reason is that Socialism is founded on a doctrine of human society which is bounded by time and takes no account of any objective other than that of material well-being. Since, therefore, it proposes a form of social organization which aims solely at production; it places too severe a restraint on human liberty, at the same time flouting the true notion of social authority.” (Encyclical Mater et Magistra, May 15, 1
Even Romney's hair looks messed up now.
He's support will just decline from here on out, due to his incredibly stupid 47% remarks.
My goodness what an idiot this man is.
When your supporters are idiots, saying stupid stuff is the way to go.
Great news. Social Justice will prevail, at long last.
Obama/Biden 2012
Let's hope the poll was wrong. The country is so divided another 4 years of the socialist Obama will bring on a great deal of unrest and strife against his regime. Those that do the work to make this country function are beyond sick of his government.
Its NBC... its not even considered a real poll.
32% strong-ish Democrats vs. 25% strong-ish Republicans and Obama can only get a 5 point lead. Great work NBC. (sarcasm)
Strong Democrat ............................................... 22
Not very strong Democrat ................................. 10
Independent/lean Democrat .............................. 10
Strictly Independent .......................................... 16
Independent/lean Republican ............................ 12
Not very strong Republican ............................... 7
Strong Republican ............................................. 18
Other (VOL) ....................................................... 2
Not sure ........................................................... 3
In the real world:
"Obama's convention bounce vanishes in Gallup poll"
"Gallup's seven-day rolling average indicates that 47% of registered voters supporting Obama and 46% supporting Romney, returning the race back to narrow, pre-convention margins."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/18/obamas-convention-bump-vanishes/?hpt=hp_t2
more liberal BS
Well we all know that the ONLY poll that counts is election day! I for one believe the people will see what a terrible job Obama has done and remove him, if not it will be a very sad day, with no leadership this President will run us off the looming fiscal cliff early next year! The only reason it will be close will be due to the huge percentage of people in this country living off of Gov't handouts.
trubro- I think the conservatives should a country wide party when the socialist is out. It's good Obama stopped smoking. He can vist the Middle East and cheat. All he will have to do is inhale some of the smoke from his terrible policies.
I don't understand... who are these rogue three percent that are still voting for Obama even though they are not entitled bums....????
I cannot for the life of me understand how this country is going to move "forward" if we have so many that feel as though they have a right to something they didn't produce. Obama's policies are a total bust and the only thing he has going for him is socialized theft and bribery. Steal from those who have made something of themselves and bribe the ones who are on some type of government payout.
I can hear the liberals now - he must be one of those rich ones. Well that is not the case in any sense of the word. Our system is broken and will not be corrected. There are so many people on assistance who have NO reason to be on it. I see it every day first hand and if you say something about it the left paints you as uncompassionate and greedy. I'm not greedy but simply want my tax money to go to some system that works.
I didn't vote for Obama but did have an open mind to see if he is truthful and committed. I see clearly he is committed to a socialized America and to himself. I feel sorry for us if he gets elected again.