Although a new national poll shows that Americans do not believe Obama deserves a second term by a 50-46 percent margin, the President still leads when pitted against the two GOP frontrunner, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and businessman Herman Cain.
According to a AP/GFK poll, voters would pick Obama over Romney 48 to 45 percent if the election were held today. If Cain gained the GOP’s nomination, Obama leads by a wider margin, 49 to 43 percent.
Cain had an impressive surge in popularity after winning the Florida Republican party’s straw poll, but has become the subject of greater scrutiny, particularly for his 999 plan, which would set income, sales and corporate taxes at 9 percent.
Texas Governor Rick Perry, who has had a sharp drop in support since botching several debate appearances, also lags behind the President, 51 to 42 percent.
The poll was conducted via a telephone survey among 1,000 adult between October 13th and the 17th . It was released late Wednesday.
The full results can be found here.