Poll: Obama, Romney deadlocked in NH

A new poll finds President Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney deadlocked in New Hampshire.

The latest Suffolk University/7News survey shows the two candidates tied with 47 percent support each among likely voters. Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate, tallies 2 percent support, with another 4 percent undecided.

Of those respondents who picked a candidate, 90 percent said their mind was made up, while 9 percent said their vote could shift.

{mosads}Both candidates have net favorable ratings, with Obama at 50 percent to 44, and Romney with a 48 percent favorable, 46 unfavorable split. Voters, though, said they felt more connection with Obama than Romney, by 48 to 44 percent.

But — in a troubling signb for Obama — voters are evenly divided on his performance as president, with 47 percent approving and 47 percent disapproving. 

Obama, though, continues to hold his edge among female voters, with 50 percent support to Romney’s 46. But the GOP challenger is ahead among men, 49-43.

Romney holds the advantage when asked which candidate can best fix the economy, with 45 percent picking the former Massachusetts governor to 42 percent for Obama. 

The economy in New Hampshire, as in many other battlegrounds, continues to pose a problem for the president. Only 27 percent said the economy had improved in their state during Obama’s term, with 35 percent saying it had stayed the same and 32 percent saying it had worsened.

Obama, however, is preferred on foreign policy, with 46 percent support to Romney’s 42.

Seventy percent said they watched last Thursday’s debate between Vice President Biden and Romney running mate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).  

Voters were deadlocked on who won the lone vice presidential debate, with 43 percent picking Biden, 42 percent Ryan and 15 percent unsure.

Despite Romney’s recent surge in many swing-state and national polls, voters still expect Obama to be the winner in November. Forty-nine percent expect Obama to be reelected, with 36 percent believing Romney will win the presidency. 

New Hampshire is one of 12 swing states captured by Obama in 2008 that could determine the outcome of this year’s race.

The poll was conducted from Oct. 12 to 14 and has a 4-point margin of error.