Romney captures lead over Obama in new poll

Mitt Romney holds a 3 percent lead over President Obama nationally in the latest CBS News-New York Times poll.

Romney took 46 percent in the poll, compared to Obama’s 43 percent. The 3 percent difference is within the poll’s 4 point margin of error.

Obama and Romney were tied at 46 in the same poll conducted last month.

The president's endorsement of same-sex marriage has dominated the headlines recently, but the poll found the economy will be the most important issue to voters in the fall. Sixty-two percent said the economy was the most important issue, while the deficit was a distant second at 11 percent. Only 7 percent said same-sex marriage was the most important issue in the election.

President Obama’s job approval rating has been hovering around break-even, and is at 48 percent approval and 48 disapproval, according to the poll.

Romney continues to lead Obama among independents, 43 to 36, while Obama leads among moderates, 50 to 39.

Romney’s favorability, which was historically bad during the primary season, continues to be a drag, at 31 percent favorable and 38 percent unfavorable, while Obama is at 45 favorable and 45 unfavorable.

Obama has a 1 percent lead over Romney, according to the Real Clear Politics average of national polls. Different polls released in May have shown each candidate in the lead at some point, which seems to indicate that the race is a dead heat.

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