Quinnipiac Poll: Obama leads Rmoney in Virginia by five-points

In the first survey since he clinched the GOP nomination, Gov. Mitt Romney now trails President Barack Obama 47 - 42 percent in Virginia, a lead that would not be affected if Gov. Bob McDonnell were the Republican running mate, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.


Today's results compare to a 50 - 42 percent Obama lead in a March 20 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, conducted when former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul were still in the race for the Republican nomination.


With Gov. Bob McDonnell as Romney's running mate, facing Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden, the Democratic ticket wins 48 - 43 percent.


Virginia voters oppose same-sex marriage 49 - 42 percent, but only 25 percent say it is "extremely important" or "very important" in deciding how they will vote for president. President Obama's support for same-sex marriage makes them less likely to vote for him, 24 percent say. Another 14 percent say more likely, while 60 percent say it won't affect their vote.


The gender gap is the key to the president's overall lead as he wins women 51 - 35 percent while men tilt 49 - 44 percent for Romney.

Obama leads 90 - 4 percent among Democrats and 45 - 37 percent among independent voters, while losing Republicans 91 - 6 percent. He also does better among voters under 35 years old, 63 - 23 percent, than he does among those 55 and older, who back Romney 49 - 41 percent. Voters 35 to 54 years old are split 45 - 45 percent.


Virginia voters are divided 48 - 47 percent in their approval of the job Obama is doing, and split 49 - 47 percent on whether he deserves a second term in the Oval Office.


By a 50 - 44 percent margin, Virginia voters have a favorable opinion of Obama and say 80 - 16 percent that he is a likable person.


Romney gets a split 39 - 37 percent favorability, as voters say 61 - 28 percent that he is a likable person.


http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/virginia/release-detail?ReleaseID=1760