Polls

PPP poll finds Obama up 2 points in Iowa, NH

by Meghashyam Mali - 11/05/12 2:34 AM ET

President Obama holds a slim lead in the battleground states of Iowa and New Hampshire, according to the latest surveys from Public Policy Polling (PPP).

The polls from the Democratic-leaning outlet show Obama up with a 50-48 lead over GOP challenger Mitt Romney among likely voters in each state.

In Iowa, Obama holds a strong lead among early voters, with 61 percent to Romney’s 39. Romney, though, has a 56-41 edge among those who will vote on Election Day.

{mosads}Obama’s lead in the Hawkeye State is built on strong support from independents, who back him 51-43, and from women, at 52-46. Obama trails 53-45 among seniors, but the poll finds him winning every other age bracket.

Iowa voters have a net-unfavorable rating for Romney, with 48 percent negative, 47 favorable. But Iowa voters disapprove of Obama’s job performance by the same 47-48 margin.

“Iowa and New Hampshire look like they’re going to be pretty close,” said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling. “But we have pretty persistently found Obama with small leads in these states over the last couple weeks.”

In New Hampshire, Romney is tied with Obama among independents, but Obama is backed by 9 percent of Republicans, compared to 4 percent of Democrats who will vote for Romney.

Voters have a favorable opinion of Romney in New Hampshire, at 49-47, but disapprove of Obama’s job performance. Voters give Obama a 45 percent approval, 50 percent disapproval split in the state.

Romney will visit New Hampshire on Monday, the last day before the election, with Obama visiting Iowa.