As President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney prepare to square off for their first debate Wednesday night, the Democratic incumbent maintains a significant lead in one key battleground state while the contest in two others have tightened, according to a new round of NBC News/Marist/Wall Street Journal […] Read more »
Romney Maintains Economic Edge Heading Into Debates
As Barack Obama and Mitt Romney prepare to discuss domestic issues in Wednesday’s first presidential debate, Americans continue to give Romney at least a slight edge in terms of which presidential candidate is better able to handle the economy. However, Romney’s advantage has decreased in comparison to earlier in the […] Read more »
Debates do matter — sometimes
Our yen for “yes” or “no” answers sometimes clouds our understanding — in this case, of presidential debates. Observers seem wedded to saying either “Yes, debates do have an impact” or “No, they don’t.” Reality is more complicated. [cont.] Mark Mellman Read more »
Obama’s surge fizzles out
Polls released over this past weekend suggest that Barack Obama’s September run-up in the polls has been blunted. Most often, now, the president is just below the magic 50 percent threshold that an incumbent must eclipse. [cont.] David Hill Read more »
One Debate Goal: Sway the Swayable
… Presidential debates don’t often change the course of a campaign. … Still, with the 2012 election continuing to be a cliffhanger in many polls, the candidates are looking for every opportunity to win votes. … Tad Devine, a senior adviser to Al Gore during the 2000 campaign, said “the […] Read more »
National Journal: Obama, Romney Tied Among Likely Voters
President Obama and Mitt Romney are deadlocked among likely voters as they prepare to square off in their first presidential debate, according to the latest United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll. … Romney led in the poll among independents, 49 percent to 41 percent, with both candidates winning more than […] Read more »