New Quinnipiac poll...
Obama leads Romney by 5
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.
"President Barack Obama remains ahead in Virginia, but he is hearing Gov. Mitt Romney's footsteps. His lead over Romney is built upon a continuing gender gap that favors him - essentially the president stays close among men while he is very strong among women," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "For Romney to take the lead he will need to reverse the gender gap. Often when Republicans win, they use a solid lead among men and narrow their loss among women."
"The gender gap is almost certainly with us for the campaign. The only question will be which side harnesses it for their benefit. Currently, the president is winning that battle," Brown added.
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.
Virginia voters say 55 - 28 percent that Obama would do a better job than Romney on same-sex marriage.
Because of Romney's opposition to same-sex marriage, 21 percent of voters are more likely to support him while 23 percent are less likely. The issue will not affect their vote, 53 percent say.
Voters are divided on who would do a better job on the economy as 46 percent pick Romney and 44 percent pick Obama.
