The presidential election remains effectively tied nationwide, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll released on Wednesday that shows Mitt Romney at 47 percent and President Obama at 46 percent.
For the last several weeks, Democrats have attacked Romney over his experience at Bain Capital and his foreign investment holdings, most notably his Swiss bank account. Although the left has seen this as a bruising argument, the poll shows that 60 percent of voters don’t think the issue will make a difference in their decision for president. Similarly, 73 percent say that Romney’s wealth is not a factor in their vote. Those who consider it a major issue, however, said it would make them less likely to support the Republican.
Romney holds the edge over the president on the economy, 49 percent to 41 percent, but Obama is seen as helping the middle class by a larger 52 percent to 38 percent margin. More voters also thought that the president cares more about their needs and problems than the presumptive Republican nominee does.
The economy remains a top worry for voters and, according to the poll, many find it is still weak. Those who felt the economy was improving dropped from 33 percent in April to 24 percent now. Thirty percent of voters said the economy is getting worse. The number of voters who blame Obama’s policies in part for the poor economic numbers remains high at 64 percent. Approval of the president’s handling of the economy sits at 39 percent.
These numbers are not a lock until November, the poll points out, as one in five voters said they could change their minds between now and Election Day.
The poll was conducted July 11 to 16 among 1,089 adults across the nation. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.
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