Quinnipiac: Obama 50, Romney 46

The Presidential race has gotten closer in recent weeks, but President Obama still cracks 50 percent in the latest poll from Quinnipiac.

He leads Mitt Romney 50 percent to 46, a 4 point margin that is much smaller than Quinnipiac’s late September poll. That pre-debate survey showed Obama ahead 54 percent to 42, a whopping 12 points.

“Gov. Mitt Romney is coming on strong in the Keystone State, especially among white Catholics,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

The President’s job approval, a key number for any man hoping to be re-election, is narrowly positive, 50 percent to 48. People have a favorable impression of him by a wider margin, 52 percent to 45. Mitt Romney is in positive territory personally, 46 percent favorable and 44 percent unfavorable, but he lags Obama.

In its press release Quinnipiac noted that white voters back Romney 53 percent to 43 and black voters back Obama 97 percent to 1. White Catholic voters go Republican 56 percent to 43.

Voters with college degrees back the president 54 percent to 43 while voters without degrees are divided with 49 percent for Obama and 47 percent for Romney.

Obama still enjoys a wide lead among women, 57 percent to 39. But Romney has improved from September, when he was tied among men. Now he leads men, 54 percent to 43.

VP

42 percent to 37, respondents said thatVice President Joe Biden beat U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan in last week’s debate. Biden won independent voters 41 percent to 35. But don’t celebrate too soon – while 81 percent of voters said they tuned into the debate, 62 percent said it didn;t sway their vote.

“Pennsylvania voters say Vice President Joseph Biden, a native son and a Catholic, won the debate and is more qualified than U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan to be president. But that doesn’t seem to be lifting the top of the ticket,” said Malloy.

Biden is more qualified than Ryan to serve as president, voters say 50 – 42 percent.

Quinnipiac surveyed 1,519 likely Pa. voters from Oct. 12-14 via land lines and cell phones. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percent.

The same poll showed Sen. Bob Casey leading GOP challenger Tom Smith by just 3 points, 48 percent to 45.

Additionally, Gov. Tom Corbett’s approval is bouncing back. 38 percent of voters approve of his job as Governor compared to 42 percent who disapprove, a net negative rating by 4 points. In September, he had a net negative 11 point rating, 47 percent disapproving to 36 percent approving.

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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