First the general horserace numbers. Santorum leads Romney 30-28%. Romney leads Santorum in the Gallup 32 to 30. In the Pew, Obama beats Santorum 53 to 43 and Romney by 52 to 44.
But it is in the Pew poll about independents that Romney should be very concerned. Today, 51% of independents back President Obama. Last month only 40% did. Romney has gone from 50% last month among independents to 42% today.
But the character questions are the killers. Last month 53% of independents thought Romney was honest and trustworthy, today only 41%. Those who think he is not honest has risen from 32 to 45%.
His single calling card was that he was qualified to be president. In November,58% of independents thought him well-qualified, 31% did not. Now--48% think he is well-qualified; 41% do not.
So we have gone in November--where Romney beat Obama among independents 53 to 41, to today where Obama beats Romney 51-42. That's an amazing turnaround of 19 points.
It's easier to switch the general support for voters than overcome any negatives on character issues as the election nears. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll shows there has been a 20% spike in negative impressions of Willard.
Storm clouds up ahead. The American Research Group (ARG) has Santorum now beating Romney 33 to 27% in Willard's home state of Michigan. The PPP poll has Santorum leading Romney 39-24% in Michigan. PPP said that Santorum is winning every county--even Oakland County where Mitt Romney grew up.
Apparently, people really don't like Willard. It's not just the fad of the Not-Mitt but people simply don't respond to him. Willard can not connect with the plight of the average American and simply loses support when he tries. The more he panders to the Right, Romney loses the rest of the country. But he will have another chance to re-introduce himself--but then again, he keeps re-creating himself all the time.
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