|
 |
 |
|
Poll shows Romney gaining among conservatives
Mitt Romney is beginning to gain support among those who identify as “very conservative,” a group he has thus far been unable to rally to his cause, according to an ABC News-Washington Post poll released on Tuesday.
According to the poll, Romney’s favorability rating among those who identify as “very conservative” has increased from 38 percent in late February to 50 percent presently. Romney’s overall favorability has swung 15 points with that group in the last week, as those who view him unfavorably decreased by 3 percent.
While that might not necessarily translate into primary votes while Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich are still in the race, it’s a sign that conservatives might rally to a Romney candidacy in the general election.
Still, Romney has nearly caught Santorum in favorability among all conservative Republicans, with 67 percent saying they have a favorable view of him, compared to 68 percent for Santorum. That’s a 21-point swing for Romney since late February.
Romney’s standing among the “very conservative” had fallen to its lowest point of the cycle just before the Michigan and Arizona primaries; however, Romney’s victories in those states, coupled with Santorum’s recent fade, have reignited speculation that the former Massachusetts governor is the party’s inevitable nominee.
Still, the hard-fought Republican primary, which has seen the GOP hopefuls launch harsh attacks on each other, has — at least for the time being — damaged the standing of all the candidates. Overall, Romney’s favorability rating is negative, at 35 percent favorable and 45 percent unfavorable, among those surveyed.
According to Gallup, President Obama has nearly scratched his way back to even, with 45 percent saying they approve of the job he has done while in office and 48 percent saying they disapprove.
The ABC-Post poll was conducted from Feb. 29 to March 4 and has a 3.5 percent margin of error.
Most Viewed RSS Feed »
