Poll: Romney’s Favorability Ratings Unchanged Since Spring

While Mitt Romney’s favorability ratings among voters climbed after the Republican primaries, they’ve remained virtually unchanged, at 40 percent, since May, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows.

And as his favorability rating remains flat, his negatives have inched up. The poll shows that 49 percent have a negative view of the former Massachusetts governor, up from 45 percent. President Obama fairs better: 53 percent have a favorable opinion and 43 percent unfavorable.

“Romney’s failure to continue to gain on Obama since then may be a sign that his image has been damaged by summer stumbles, including new attention on Romney’s tax returns and an overseas trip that included well publicized gaffes,” the Post noted.

Obama is also doing well with independents, who view him favorably by a margin of 53 percent to 40 percent. Just 37 percent of independents viewed Romney favorably while 50 percent viewed him unfavorably.

The poll of 1,026 adults was conducted Aug. 1-5.