Poll: Despite lower favorability, Obama leads Romney in Maine

In a reversal of what has been a clear trend so far this election cycle, President Obama faces a favorability deficit in comparison to Mitt Romney in Maine, according to a poll from Maine-based Critical Insights released Monday.

According to the poll, Obama is viewed favorably by 47 percent of Maine voters, compared to 51 percent who view Romney favorably, well above the national average of 35 percent for Romney.

Still, Obama leads in the head-to-head match-up, 50 percent to 42, and voters in Maine said the president is better equipped than Romney to handle international affairs, women’s issues, job creation and healthcare.

Romney has been dogged by low favorability ratings throughout the primary season, so the Maine poll is an encouraging sign for his campaign.

Maine has only four electoral votes. The Pine Tree State voted consistently for the Republican presidential candidate through 1988 but has voted for the Democratic candidate in every election since 1992.

The poll of 600 registered Maine voters was conducted May 2-7 and has a 4-point margin of error.

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