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An 18 point lead among women puts President Barack Obama ahead of Gov. Mitt Romney 49 - 45 percent among likely voters nationwide, and voters expect 54 - 28 percent that the president will win the debates, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. The president leads 56 - 38 percent among women and 94 - 2 percent among black voters, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Men back Romney 52 - 42 percent while white voters back the Republican 53 - 42 percent. Independent voters are divided with 47 percent for Romney and 45 percent for Obama. American likely voters say 60 - 25 percent that the federal government would make progress addressing the nation's problems if one party controls the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Voters dislike the Democratic Party less than they dislike the Republican Party, giving the Democrats a negative 45 - 49 percent favorability rating, compared to a negative 41 - 52 percent for the Republicans. \"President Barack Obama won only about 43 percent of the white vote in 2008, so his current standing among whites tracks his earlier winning performance,\" said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. \"If the president can match or exceed his 2008 showing among whites it will be difficult to impossible for Romney to win. \"It is also very difficult to win an election when you are getting shellacked among women, the group that makes up about half the electorate.\" \"Historically, voters have preferred divided government in the belief that one side can keep the other in line, but these numbers may indicate that the public is fed up with gridlock in Washington,\" said Brown. The economy is the most important issue in this election, 50 percent of American likely voters say, while 17 percent list health care, followed by 13 percent who cite the budget deficit and 7 percent who point to national security. The candidates are even on who would do a better job on the economy, with 48 percent of voters betting on Obama and 47 percent picking Romney. Romney would do a better job on the budget deficit, voters say 52 - 42 percent. Obama leads on every other issue: 50 - 45 percent on health care, 50 - 44 percent on national security, 52 - 43 percent on handling an international crisis. If they or a family member were at risk of violence in a foreign country, American likely voters say 50 - 45 percent they would want Obama in the White House. \"Some critical keys to the president's lead are that Romney has not convinced voters that he would do a better job on the economy,\" Brown said. \"Romney is more trusted to address the budget deficit, but Obama is the choice to handle other major problems - and the go-to guy if you or a family member is in danger overseas.\" Obama cares about their needs and problems, voters say 60 - 38 percent. Romney doesn't care, voters say 51 - 46 percent. Among likely voters, 93 percent say they plan to watch the presidential debates, but 86 percent say they do not expect the candidates to say anything that would change their mind. \"Voters clearly are interested in the debates but skeptical that the events will make them reconsider their voting preference,\" said Brown. \"The best news for Romney going into the debates is that voters have very low expectations for him and therefore the bar for him to change some minds is set lower than it is for the president.\" From September 25 - 30, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,912 likely voters nationwide, with margin of error of +/- 2.2 percent. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia and the nation as a public service and for research. For individual statewide crosstabs and trends visit - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x2881.xml or call (203) 582-5201."}
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Women Give Obama An Edge Over Romney,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds
Likely Voters Pick President To Win Debate 2-1