Monmouth University Poll: Obama Gains a 7-Point Lead
ByIt was a tense week with the U.S. Embassies in Middle East becoming the objects of anger claiming many lives. But, what dominated the media space was not the death of American Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, but the comments from Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney.
Mitt Romney may have attempted to use the unfortunate incident to his gain by trying to prove that he can be better at handling foreign relations issues, but by passing irresponsible comments, he proved otherwise which has manifested itself in a new poll.
In the poll conducted by the Monmouth University, majority of American voters gave a slight edge to Obama over Romney. They said that the Democratic incumbent has done a better job than the Republican challenger responding to the situation and is better able to handle the nation's foreign policy in general.
Overall, Obama holds a 7 point lead over Romney with 48 percent to 41 percent among all registered voters and a 3 point lead with 48 percent to 45 percent among likely voters. Before the immensely successful Democratic Convention, the lead was 3 point and 1 point respectively.
The latest Monmouth University Poll was conducted by telephone with 1,571 registered voters in the nation from September 13 to 16, 2012, a week that witnessed extreme violence in the U.S. Embassies across the Middle East, some of which tied to the Muslim fundamentalists.
When the responders were asked about the presidential contenders' public response regarding the violence, 39 percent of likely voters approved of how Obama has handled the situation to 27 percent who disapproved, with the remainder being unaware of the president's response.
On Romney's response, 25 percent of likely voters approved the GOP nominee's response while 29 percent disapproved. The poll also found that a majority of likely voters with 51 percent trusted Obama more than Romney with 42 percent to handle the nation's foreign policy.
Even on domestic issues, particularly Social Security and Medicare, Obama has gained advantage. Half of likely voters now trust Obama to handle the issue compared to 42 percent who favour Romney. It is surprising, however, that just a month ago the two candidates were virtually tied among likely voters on this issue with 46 percent for Obama to 43 percent for Romney.
The poll has also covered economy and jobs, federal budget deficit and debt among others which also feature Obama gaining a slight edge.
The poll was conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute in West Long Branch, New Jersey and the sample has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percent.