September 20, 2012
9/20: Obama with Advantage Over Romney in Colorado
Among likely voters in Colorado including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have the support of 50% compared with 45% for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. One percent supports another candidate, and 4% are undecided.
“Obama and Romney are fighting to a draw on who is better for the economy,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “Obama has a sizeable lead on handling foreign affairs at a time when voters’ concerns are also directed at developments overseas.”
Click Here for Complete September 20, 2012 Colorado NBC News/WSJ/Marist Poll Release
Click Here for Complete September 20, 2012 Colorado NBC News/WSJ/Marist Poll Tables
Key points:
- Party ID. A wide partisan divide exists. 95% of Democrats who are likely to vote are behind the president while 93% of Republican likely voters back Romney. Among independent voters, 50% support Obama compared with 39% for Romney.
- Enthusiasm. 59% of likely voters in Colorado are very enthusiastic about voting in November. Looking at each candidate’s support, 64% of Romney supporters who are likely to go to the polls have a high level of enthusiasm. This compares with 59% of likely voters who support the president.
- Intensity of support. 84% of likely voters are firmly committed to their candidate of choice. This compares with 14% who are somewhat behind their pick and 1% who say they might vote differently. One percent is unsure. Among those who support the president and are likely to go to the polls, 86% are firmly committed to him. Looking at Romney’s supporters who are likely to cast a ballot, 82% report they are firmly committed to him.
- Gender. There is a gender gap. 54% of women who are likely to vote support the president. This compares with 40% who are for Romney. Men who are likely to vote — 50% — favor Romney. The president garners 45% of male voters.
- Age. President Obama carries the support of 70% of Colorado likely voters under the age of 30. This compares with 25% who are for Romney. Among those 30 to 44, a majority — 53% — supports Obama while 40% back Romney. Romney, however, edges Obama among older voters. Looking at likely voters between the ages of 45 and 59, 50% are for Romney compared with 45% for Obama. Romney receives support from the same proportion — 50% — of those 60 and older as does Obama — 45%.
Looking at registered voters in Colorado including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate, the president receives 50% of the vote compared with 44% for Romney. Two percent support another candidate, and 4% are undecided.
When NBC News/Marist last reported this question in May, 46% of registered voters supported the president. 45% were for Romney, and only 1% backed another candidate. Eight percent were undecided.
Table: 2012 Presidential Tossup (CO Likely Voters with Leaners)
Table: Enthusiasm to Vote (CO Likely Voters)
Table: Intensity of Support (CO Likely Voters)
Table: 2012 Presidential Tossup (CO Registered Voters with Leaners)
Majority Views Obama Favorably…Half Perceive Romney Unfavorably
51% of Colorado likely voters have a favorable impression of the president. This compares with 45% who have an unfavorable view of him. Four percent are unsure.
When it comes to Mitt Romney’s favorability, 50% have an unfavorable view of the candidate while 43% think well of him. Six percent are unsure.
Table: President Barack Obama Favorability (CO Likely Voters)
Table: Mitt Romney Favorability (CO Likely Voters)
Voters Divide about V.P. Candidates
While 43% of likely Colorado voters have a positive impression of Vice President Joe Biden, 46% have an unfavorable one. 11% are unsure.
Looking at Paul Ryan, 43% think well of him compared with 44% who do not. 14% have either never heard of him or are unsure how to rate him.
Table: Vice President Joe Biden Favorability (CO Likely Voters)
Table: Paul Ryan Favorability (CO Likely Voters)
Split Decision on Economy, Obama Takes Prize on Foreign Policy
Which candidate will do a better job handling the economy? 48% of Colorado registered voters believe Obama will. This compares with 45% who think Romney is the better candidate to focus the nation’s economy. Seven percent are unsure. Likely voters in Colorado agree. 48% of these voters report Obama is better skilled at dealing with the economy. However, 46% say Romney is better suited for the job. Six percent are unsure.
When NBC News/Marist last reported this question in May, voters also divided. At that time, 45% of registered voters reported Romney was the stronger candidate on the issue compared with 42% who believed Obama was. 13%, then, were unsure.
Foreign policy is a different story. Obama is perceived by 51% of registered voters in Colorado as more capable on the issue. This compares with 40% who say Romney is better equipped to do so. 10% are unsure. Likely voters share these views. 51% of likely voters think Obama is the candidate better suited to deal with foreign policy issues while 41% believe Romney is. Eight percent are unsure.
In May, Obama — 47% — topped Romney — 39% — on this question. At that time, 14% were unsure.
Table: Candidate Who Will Do a Better Job Handling the Economy (CO Registered Voters)
Table: Candidate Who Will Do a Better Job Handling the Economy (CO Likely Voters)
Table: Candidate Who Will Do a Better Job Handling Foreign Policy (CO Registered Voters)
Table: Candidate Who Will Do a Better Job Handling Foreign Policy (CO Likely Voters)
President’s Approval Rating at 47% in Colorado
When it comes to the president’s job performance, registered voters divide. 47% approve of how he is doing in office. The same proportion — 47% — disapproves, and 6% are unsure.
In NBC News/Marist’s May survey, nearly half of voters — 49% — disapproved of Obama’s job performance while 45% approved. Six percent were unsure.
Table: President Obama Approval Rating in Colorado (CO Registered Voters)
Majority Believes Nation Needs a New Direction
53% of registered voters in Colorado report the country is off course. This compares with 41% who believe it is on track. Six percent are unsure.
In NBC News/Marist’s previous survey, 56% thought the country needed a new compass while 38% believed it was on target. Six percent, at that time, were unsure.
Table: Right or Wrong Direction of the Country (CO Registered Voters)