WASHINGTON – Two months ago, it appeared Michigan might well be prime real estate for Mitt Romney as he sought the Republican nomination for president.
In a Detroit Free Press/WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) poll then, native Michigander Romney led the Democratic president, Barack Obama, 46%-41%, in a head-to-head matchup.
But as Romney’s path to the nomination has gotten cloudy, his lead in the state over the Democratic incumbent also has evaporated. In a new Michigan poll, Obama has taken the head-to-head lead, 48%-40%.
The poll, done by EPIC-MRA of Lansing for five days concluding this Wednesday, surveyed 600 likely voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
The poll showed that Obama’s support is bolstered by independents, a crucial voting bloc for the president in 2008, when he easily won Michigan. Two months ago, Romney led among self-described Michigan independents with 41% to 34% for Obama. But this week’s poll shows Obama leads Romney among the group 44% to 34%.
There’s been recent good news out of Michigan. Its 9.3% unemployment rate in December is the lowest in more than three years. General Motors was recently re-crowned No. 1 in worldwide sales among automakers. The all-important auto sector has been adding jobs and profits have been stronger. More state residents believe the local economy is on the way up at last.
The poll suggests a surge toward Obama as Romney, despite his clear Republican front-runner status after a win Jan. 10 in the New Hampshire primary, has failed to get more conservative Republicans to coalesce around him.
Romney remains stronger against Obama than former House Speaker Gingrich, the poll showed. Obama leads Gingrich 51%-38%.
http://www.freep.com/article/20120126/NEWS15/120126046/New-poll-Obama-takes-48-40-lead-over-Romney-in-Michigan
