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Poll: Obama's Pa. Lead Drops from 9 to 4 Points

An October poll by Franklin and Marshall shows President Obama maintaining a small lead among likely voters in Pennsylvania

 

The October 2012 Franklin & Marshall College Poll of Pennsylvania voters finds President Barack Obama with a 4 point lead among likely voters compared to a 9 point lead in the September poll over Gov. Mitt Romney. 

Complete results, including detailed methodology, can be found at http://politics.fandm.edu

  • Obama leads Romney, 49% to 45%, with 4% undecided among likely voters while in September he led 52% to 43%, with 3% undecided.
  • Bob Casey leads Tom Smith, 46% to 36%, with 13% undecided in the US senate race. In September Casey led, 48% to 38%, with 8% undecided.
  • Obama is seen as better able to handle foreign policy issues, 56% to 37%, better able to understand the concerns of ordinary Americans, 54% to 39%, better able to handle the job as military chief, 51% to 42%, closest to voters' views on abortion and gay marriage, 47% to 40%, but Romney is now seen as more prepared to fix our economic problems, 47% to 42%.
  • Obama is viewed favorably by 50% of respondents similar to September but Romney is viewed favorably by 43% compared to 34% in September. 
  • President Obama's job performance rating is more negative (46%) than positive (53%).
  • Voters are less interested in the election this year, 67% (very interested) when compared to 2008, 73%, (very interested).

.This survey reflect interviews with 849 Pennsylvania voters conducted by the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College from October 23-28, 2012 (sample error of +/- 3.4 percentage points). The survey includes 547 interviews with likely voters (sample error of  +/- 4.2 percentage points). The Franklin & Marshall College Poll is produced in conjunction with the Philadelphia Daily News, WGAL-TV (South Central PA), Pittsburgh Tribune Review, WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), WPVI-TV6/ABC (Philadelphia), Times-Shamrock Newspapers, Harrisburg Patriot-News, and Lancaster Newspapers. It may be used in whole or in part, provided any use is attributed to Franklin & Marshall College. 

Chris Miller November 2, 2012 at 02:45 pm
You might want to note that Romney is now on the air with ads, That indicates that Romney and Ryan could take the state. These men have been frugal with their money. For them to come to PA means they have a chance to win here.
Life Long Emmaus November 2, 2012 at 06:27 pm
I do not think "FRUGAL" and this kind of spending should be used in the same sentence. It's rediculous!
Highest spending by state In millions ($) Total Dem. Rep. Florida 147 68 79 Virginia 131 60 71 Ohio 128 62 65 North Carolina 89 36 53 Colorado 59 30 30 Iowa 49 24 26 Nevada 48 23 25 New Hampshire 28 16 12 Wisconsin 28 8 19 Michigan 26 7 19
Watts November 2, 2012 at 08:23 pm
But that poll closed on 10/28. I would be shocked if those numbers haven't realistically shot right back up since Sandy and how the storm has put FEMA as the topic on most people's minds. With Romney on record stating that he wants to eliminate FEMA and now dodging al questions about FEMA, I think that the disgust level of people toward Romney is starting to escalate this week.
News Flash November 2, 2012 at 08:57 pm
Unemployment rate is higher now than Obama started with.
Crestor Januvia November 2, 2012 at 09:16 pm
Ya... people are not at all disgusted with Libya and Obamination.
And what is FEMA? A federal agency that comes in a throws around a bunch of money the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE. Everybody thinks "Oh great, the feds can pay for this". They don't have the money. They just borrow it. Anybody that looks at FEMA as a big government success is an idiot. Romney knows they just have to go borrow the money, so he says you might as well just give your borrowed money directly to the states. This way, FEMA gets to waste 50% of the money on all it's operations. You liberals are so full of crap. You don't understand a thing.
Watts November 2, 2012 at 09:24 pm
Oh yes, we do not understand anything. Coming from the person who just laid out the most ridiculously juvenile analysis of what FEMA is.
I don't even have to say anything. Your words speak for themselves.
louis kootsares November 4, 2012 at 12:53 pm
the polls must be taken at democratic headquarters,of course the freeloaders,lowlife,ignorant,islam radicals,and socialists will back ayatolla obahma,but the normal people from pennsylvania will vote romney....
Andy Novick November 4, 2012 at 12:59 pm
A radio show about Where were you during Hurricane Sandy?http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theaudioblog/2012/11/03/where-were-you-during-hurricane-sandy

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An interested bystander May 6, 2013 at 05:29 pm
Just pointing out facts. You are also forgetting that money withdrawn from an IRA or 401k (exceptRead More Roth IRAs) are taxed at withdrawal. I prefer my government not punish good financial actions. Sorry it's a quirk of mine, I think we should reward those who make good decisions, not punish them.
Tony Simek May 6, 2013 at 06:35 pm
I agree with you Interested Bystander. Problem is that if you punish the ones making the badRead More decisions, the Federal government will be punished all the time. In the current climate, poor decision making gets rewarded by voters. The middle class doesn't have a chance.
Bill May 9, 2013 at 05:11 am
Naziti and Caroline Johnson so sorry to take so long to get back to you from your comments onRead More Sunday, May 5th, I didn't think I would have to respond. I re-posted Ken's comment because the REAL issue is "AARP selling out it's faithful supporters for BIG MONEY. So let me break it down so even the Soros trolls understand. ObamaCare guts SS and medicare reserve money by 750 Billion. Which ends these programs as we know them. AARP publicly backs ObamaCare. Seniors confused about OCare but trust AARP and their massive ad campaign for OCare. AARP contributes to re-election AARP becomes insurance provided for OCare. Unleashes host of insurance options that Seniors will be needing to make decisions about in next 2-3 years. Complicate the choices for Seniors so they fall back on who they have trusted in the past. Still unaware of the great deception perpetrated by AARP. OCARE fully enacted 2014. AARP gets steady $$$ insurance income now (not $16 membership fees for whoever posted that line above). SS and MediCare bankrupt (3/4 trillion $ stolen to fund OCare) Result for SENIORS. NO SS or MEDicare it's dissolved or becomes something less. Free OCare that sucks. Pay AARP for supplemental Ins. Prescriptions too expensive to purchase so go without or pay AARP for better plan. AARP richer and more powerful represents Gvmt Seniors - Self rule lost You see they screwed the very people that paid dues for their protection!