Both Republican frontrunners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are in a statistical tie with President Obama in a general election matchup, with a majority of the Republican support motivated to vote against Obama even more than in favor of any particular candidate, according to a new poll released today.
Gingrich and Romney each trail Obama by the same 50-48 margin in a Gallup survey conducted between December 15 and December 18. “Most registered voters who back Obama indicate that their vote decision represents a vote for Obama rather than a vote against the Republican candidate,” Gallup explains. “By contrast, voters supporting the Republican in each trial heat say their choice primarily represents a vote against Obama rather than for either Gingrich or Romney.”
Gingrich’s negatives are slightly higher than Romney’s, Gallup indicates, as 15 percent of Obama’s supporters against the former House Speaker say they are voting in order to vote “against the Republican,” compared to 11 percent who cite that reason when Obama faces Romney.
“With either Republican, it seems clear that, at this early stage, voters backing the Republican are more motivated by their desire to see Obama out of office than by an affirmative desire to see the Republican elected,” Gallup suggests. “These sentiments could change once Republicans settle on a nominee or get to know that person better as he campaigns in earnest and at the convention.”
