As the election nears, less than two weeks away, these snap shot polls become more predictive and Mitt Romney is still showing momentum as the late deciders cite the economy.
The latest AP-GFK poll shows Romney ahead by two percentage points, 47 to 45 percent, and Romney has wiped out Obama's 16 point lead with women and now both candidates come in at 47 percent with female voters.
The Obama campaign has focused largely on women and social issues, while the Romney campaign has focused on economic issues.
Romney's pitch to women has been focused squarely on the economy, making the case that what women want most is to ensure their families and their country are on a solid financial footing. The poll shows that message appears to be taking root.A month ago, women favored Obama over Romney on the economy 56 percent to 40 percent. Now, the split has shifted to 49 percent for Romney and 45 percent for Obama.Similarly, Obama's lead among women as the candidate who better understands the people's problems has narrowed considerably, from a 58-36 Obama advantage last month to a 50-43 Obama edge now.Monica Jensen, a 55-year-old independent from Mobile, Ala., says she voted for Obama in 2008 but will shift her vote to Romney this time, largely because of the economy."I'm ready for a change," she said. "I want to see the economy go in a different direction."
The Post ABC tracking poll confirms, yet again, what all other polls are showing.
The debates helped Romney change minds and define himself rather than the definition the Obama campaign spent millions in ads attempting to push.
Overall, the contest remains unchanged from Tuesday, with 49 percent of likely voters nationally backing Romney, and 48 percent supporting Obama. But as was the case after the first and second debates, more voters say they have better, not worse, opinions of the former Massachusetts governor when assessing the three debates.
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Among political independents, 49 percent say Romney is the one who is more empathetic with ongoing economic woes; 45 percent say Obama is more in tune. That’s not a statistically significant advantage for the challenger, but does represent a directional shift from before the first debate.
Looking at handling the economy as a broad issue, Romney’s lead among independents has swelled to 56 to 39 percent in the new poll, an advantage that helps him to a sizable, 12-point lead over Obama when it comes to their voting preferences. Obama won independent and other voters by eight percentage points in 2008.
Across all three debates, 40 percent of independents say their impressions of Romney improved; fewer than half as many, 18 percent, say their views deteriorated. Twice as many independents say their views of Obama are worse as say better, 20 percent to 10 percent.
Romney's small lead is being seen from not just the two polls linked above, but by Rasmussen and Gallup as well.
Despite the polling that shows Romney's momentum, I believe even that is being understated. hardcore liberals will break for Obama. Hardcore conservatives will break for Romney. Those in the middle, centrist Democrats and centrist Republicans as well as Independents, on election, will most likely break for who they trust on the economy.
All priority polling shows that is the most important issue on voter's minds and Mitt Romney holds a huge lead on fiscal issues from from jobs to economic growth and debt and deficit.
Finally, in this last sprint towards the finish line, we follow the money:
FAST FACTS About Romney For President, Romney Victory, and RNC Fundraising:
· Over $111.84 Million Raised Between October 1 And October 17
· 91.72% Of All Donations Received Between October 1 And October 17 Were $250 Or Less
· $38,172,228 Million Raised By Donations Under $250 Between October 1 And October 17
· 794,958 Donations Received Under $250 Between October 1 And October 17
· Approximately $169.04 Million Cash On Hand
· Contributions Received From All 50 States And Washington, D.C.
Liberals are desperate to convince their base that Romney's momentum has ended, but the money shows a different story.
Come election day, conservatives are hoping that the results aren't just a close win for Mitt Romney but that the momentum carries over into a huge win that takes everyone by surprise.