F&M PA Poll: O 49 R 45

Franklin & Marshall College Poll

The 22nd year of consecutive polling in Pennsylvania

Below are the highlights of the October 2012, Franklin & Marshall College Poll of Pennsylvania voters. Complete results can be found at http://politics.fandm.edu
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The October 2012, Franklin & Marshall College Poll of Pennsylvania voters finds Barack Obama with a 4 point lead among likely voters compared to a 9 point lead in the September poll over Mitt Romney.

Complete results, including detailed methodology, can be found at http://politics.fandm.edu.

• Obama leads Romney, 49% to 45%, with 4% undecided among likely voters while in September he led 52% to 43%, with 3% undecided.

• Bob Casey leads Tom Smith, 46% to 36%, with 13% undecided in the US senate race. In September Casey led, 48% to 38%, with 8% undecided.

• Obama is seen as better able to handle foreign policy issues, 56% to 37%, better able to understand the concerns of ordinary Americans, 54% to 39%, better able to handle the job as military chief, 51% to 42%, closest to voters’ views on abortion and gay marriage, 47% to 40%, but Romney is now seen as more prepared to fix our economic problems, 47% to 42%.

• Obama is viewed favorably by 50% of respondents similar to September but Romney is viewed favorably by 43% compared to 34% in September.

• President Obama’s job performance rating is more negative (46%) than positive (53%).

• Voters are less interested in the election this year, 67% (very interested) when compared to 2008, 73%, (very interested).
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This survey reflect interviews with 849 Pennsylvania voters conducted by the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College from October 23-28, 2012 (sample error of +/- 3.4 percentage points). The survey includes 547 interviews with likely voters (sample error of +/- 4.2 percentage points).

The Franklin & Marshall College Poll is produced in conjunction with the Philadelphia Daily News, WGAL-TV (South Central PA), Pittsburgh Tribune Review, WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), WPVI-TV6/ABC (Philadelphia), Times-Shamrock Newspapers, Harrisburg Patriot-News, and Lancaster Newspapers. It may be used in whole or in part, provided any use is attributed to Franklin & Marshall College.

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