Poll: Obama catches GOP field in Arizona

President Obama has caught the GOP field in Arizona, according to the latest survey from Public Policy Polling (PPP).

Obama and Mitt Romney would tie in a hypothetical November general election matchup, with each earning support from 47 percent surveyed. Obama trails Rick Santorum 46 percent to 47 percent. The president leads Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul each by 4 points in the state. The president’s edge in all matchups falls within the poll’s 4-point margin of error.

Obama’s approval rating is up 5 points in Arizona from November, when he trailed Romney by 7 points. Romney’s approval rating has dropped 3 points in that same time period.

Forty-six percent of Arizona voters now say they have a favorable view of the president, compared to 35 percent for Romney. 

The PPP survey is the second poll released on Wednesday to show Obama surging in a swing state.

An NBC News/Marist poll released on Wednesday showed Romney with a 5-point lead on the president in Arizona, and Santorum with a 3-point lead.

Obama lost Arizona by nearly 9 points to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008, but this year the president is in contention with Republicans, who don’t hold a home-state advantage as McCain did.

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