Mitt Romney’s favorability ratings have stalled during his campaign’s bumpy summer months, with his earlier improvements as he was wrapping up the Republican presidential primaries in the spring appearing to flat-line, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Although 40 percent of voters now say they hold a favorable opinion of the former Massachusetts governor — virtually unchanged from May — those holding negative views of him ticked higher in the new survey, from 45 percent to 49 percent.
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Meanwhile, President Obama remained in positive territory on that measure, with 53 percent of voters reporting favorable opinions of him. Only 43 percent say they feel unfavorably toward him.
Polls have generally shown a tight contest despite Obama’s consistent edge in popularity.
But a Post survey concluded just as Romney was finishing the GOP primaries showed him gaining ground on the president. His favorability ranking rose to a career high of 41 percent, while for the first time he matched Obama among detractors, with 45 percent viewing each unfavorably.
Romney’s inability to gain on Obama since then may be a sign that his image has been damaged by summer stumbles, including new attention on his tax returns and an overseas trip that included several gaffes.
The numbers could increase pressure on Romney to find a way to connect with voters at the Republican National Convention later this month.
Critically, independent voters now hold their favorable views of Obama more strongly than they do of Romney. More independents view Obama favorably than unfavorably, by a margin of 53 percent to 40 percent. Their opinions of Romney were nearly reversed, with 37 percent viewing him favorably and 50 percent unfavorably.
And although Republicans may be warming to Romney — 83 percent feel positively toward him, his highest measure — only 41 percent feel “strongly favorably” toward him. Meanwhile, 61 percent of Democrats feel strongly favorably toward their candidate, with 84 percent holding overall positive impressions.
The survey was taken Aug. 1 to 5 among a random national sample of 1,026 adults. The margin of sampling error for the full poll is plus or minus four percentage points.
Although 40 percent of voters now say they hold a favorable opinion of the former Massachusetts governor — virtually unchanged from May — those holding negative views of him ticked higher in the new survey, from 45 percent to 49 percent.
Graphic
Explore the 2012 electoral map and view historical results and demographics
More from PostPolitics
Chris Cillizza THE FIX | The case for choosing the Wisconsin Republican for vice president.
Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake THE FIX | The GOP presidential nominee is primed to heavily outspend President Obama in the final 90 days of the election.
Glenn Kessler FACT CHECKER | The Senate majority leader says Mitt Romney did not pay taxes for 10 years.
Meanwhile, President Obama remained in positive territory on that measure, with 53 percent of voters reporting favorable opinions of him. Only 43 percent say they feel unfavorably toward him.
Polls have generally shown a tight contest despite Obama’s consistent edge in popularity.
But a Post survey concluded just as Romney was finishing the GOP primaries showed him gaining ground on the president. His favorability ranking rose to a career high of 41 percent, while for the first time he matched Obama among detractors, with 45 percent viewing each unfavorably.
Romney’s inability to gain on Obama since then may be a sign that his image has been damaged by summer stumbles, including new attention on his tax returns and an overseas trip that included several gaffes.
The numbers could increase pressure on Romney to find a way to connect with voters at the Republican National Convention later this month.
Critically, independent voters now hold their favorable views of Obama more strongly than they do of Romney. More independents view Obama favorably than unfavorably, by a margin of 53 percent to 40 percent. Their opinions of Romney were nearly reversed, with 37 percent viewing him favorably and 50 percent unfavorably.
And although Republicans may be warming to Romney — 83 percent feel positively toward him, his highest measure — only 41 percent feel “strongly favorably” toward him. Meanwhile, 61 percent of Democrats feel strongly favorably toward their candidate, with 84 percent holding overall positive impressions.
The survey was taken Aug. 1 to 5 among a random national sample of 1,026 adults. The margin of sampling error for the full poll is plus or minus four percentage points.