Americans are nearly twice as likely to say they’ve gotten financially worse off as better off since Obama became president, according to a new Washington Post/ABC News poll.
Only 16 percent of adult respondents say they are better off today then they were four years ago, while 30 percent say they are not as well off. Fifty-three say they are about the same. When ABC News/Washington Post asked the same question in June of 1992, 19 percent of Americans said they were better off under President George H.W. Bush compared to 32 percent who said they were worse off. Bush went on to lose to President Clinton that November.
By contrast, when asked if they would be better off if Romney had been president since 2009, only 22 percent said they would be not as well off and 19 percent say they would be better off. The poll also showed Romney with a narrow lead over Obama on who is better trusted to handle the economy, 47 percent to 46 percent.
Obama did edge out Romney on job creation, however, 47 percent to 44 percent. And in a head-to-head match-up, registered voters chose Obama over Romney 47 percent to 44 percent.
The ABC News/Washington Post poll had a sample of 32 percent Democrats, 22 percent Republicans, and 38 percent Independents. In 2008, the electorate was 39 percent Democrat, 32 percent Republican, and 29 percent Independent. In 2010, the electorate was 35 percent Democrat, 35 percent Republican, and 29 percent Independent.
