Washington Post-ABC News Poll: Romney Up By One

GOP challenger Mitt Romney holds a one point edge over President Barack Obama among registered voters, posting a 47 to 46 percent lead, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

The news comes as the Republican National Convention gets underway in Tampa. Post polling has shown the race essentially deadlocked since early July.

“The findings continue a months-long pattern, with neither the incumbent nor the challenger able to sustain clear momentum, despite airing hundreds of millions of dollars in television ads — most of them negative — and exchanging some of the harshest early rhetoric seen in a modern presidential campaign,” the Post wrote.

“Romney’s selection of Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., as his running mate also did not fundamentally reshape the race, although the GOP’s conservative base has grown more enthusiastic about the ticket — but no more so about the chances of beating Obama in November.”

The Post-ABC news poll found that 72 percent of voters say the president’s handling of the economy will be a “major factor” in their vote this November and place lesser importance on issues that have bubbled up to the top recently such as Medicare, women’s issues and Romney’s refusal to release his tax returns.

Polling results on the economy are a mixed bag for the candidates with Obama getting negative reviews on his handling of the economy and whether it would improve in a second term. Romney holds a seven-point edge on who would be the better choice to handle the economy.

The poll also found that some 60 percent believe that Romney would do more to help the wealthy than the middle class, while 60 percent believe Obama would do more to help the middle class.

The poll also tested a variety of issues and personal attributes and found that on likeability, Obama has a 34 point advantage over Romney. He also held a double-digit lead on social issues and women’s issues. The poll also showed a gender gap, with 49 percent of women backing Obama compared to 43 percent for Romney. Men support Romney by a margin of 51 percent to 42 percent for Obama.

The poll surveyed 1,002 adults Wednesday through Saturday.