F&M: Obama lead down to 4 in Pa
Barack Obama's lead over Mitt Romney is down to 4 points in Pennsylvania -- at 49-45% -- which slices in half the 9-point lead he had just a month ago in the last Franklin & Marshall poll and puts the race within the survey's margin of error.
Things look better for US Sen. Bob Casey, who has opened a 10-point lead over GOP challenger Tom Smith.
Findings from Terry Madonna's survey (which is available here) include:
* 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).

