It may be the comments about the "47 percent.''
Or maybe it's been some of his other stumbles.
But a new poll Friday shows Barack Obama within three points of Mitt Romney in Arizona.
The survey is the first ever by Purple Poll of Arizonans, an organization that normally concentrates its efforts on examining voter attitudes in swing states like Colorado, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania. But the numbers here suggest that Arizona could be in play.
Doug Usher, the organizations managing partner for research, said the issue for voters seems to be not so much how they feel about the president but instead the Republican challenger.
Usher noted most of the survey of 600 Arizonans was conducted after the release of the video showing the GOP nominee talking about how 47 percent of the electorate do not pay taxes, are "dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, you name it.''
Romney said these people "will vote for this president, no matter what.''
Usher said the newly released comments, by themselves, are not what is causing problems for Romney.
"But I think the totality of evidence would point to it having an impact on how people feel in terms of their comfort level with him,'' he said. "And that's making it very difficult for them to vote for Romney.''
That showed up in other survey results where Obama outpolled Romney among Arizonans asked about who has the right temperament to be president. And 44 percent of those questioned viewed Romney favorable, compared with 46 percent for Obama.
Questioned about the comments about the 47 percent of Americans, Gov. Jan Brewer said Friday that Romney probably didn't express himself well.
"We all know that he cares about that vulnerable population out there and that there are people that need a safety net and that they need a helping hand,'' the governor said.
Anyway, Brewer said, she said the comments were "blown up and out of proportion.'' And she argued that lost in all of that was his real message.
"What he was saying, is that we want to make everyone successful,'' he said. "We want everyone to be successful.''
The poll does show that far more Arizonans believe that Romney knows how to get things done than the president. And 56 percent of those questioned say Arizona is headed in the wrong direction.
But they give Obama a slight edge -- well within the 4 point margin of error -- in terms of who can better handle a crisis.
The survey was conducted between last Saturday and Wednesday. Three-fourths of the results come from automated telephone interviews with people who have "landline'' phones; the balance were online interviews with voters who predominantly or exclusively use cell phones.
dregstudios posted at 2:06 pm on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
The dynamic duo of Romney and Ryan would drive the entire economy into a nose dive as long as it benefits the richest Americans. Income inequality is endangering the Middle Class and making paupers of us all who don’t have those millions upon millions of dollars. Read more about the role of Romney’s riches in this election and the power of his sacred undergarments at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/05/mitt-romneys-magic-mormon-underwear.html The working class of our country can’t AFFORD to allow this election to be bought and sold!
Bodacious posted at 3:33 pm on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
The dynamic duo of Obumer and (what's his name?) are doing their best to steal as much as they can from the producers of society to give to the worthless slugs of society (those collecting welfare and food stamps) as fast as they can. Obama is the leader of the welfare party and the more on welfare = more votes for him. Watch more on Obama's plan to destroy America on the the great film "2016 Obama's America". Should be required viewing for all who intend to vote.
Bingo6 posted at 4:52 pm on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
Gee maybe there are. enough reasonable 47% ters. to win AZ. for President Obama Except of course for the LDS. and the racists GOP, have another drink. Jan. your. gonna. need. it.
jarizona posted at 7:30 pm on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
Romney said the 47% of Americans do not deserve to be heard or represented. That includes the veterans who sacrificed for our country, the retirees who have paid for their benefits and HIS parents who received aid when Romney was a child. I am a registered Republican who will vote for Obama in this election. (Sorry Ronnie).[sad]
Deddzone posted at 10:05 pm on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
I would not be surprised if AZ supported Obama. The GOP is in big trouble! They can't come up with a message and Romney openly dislikes half of America. That half Mitt does not even understand, nor doe he care to.
The GOP is going to have to get their act together!!
wdgnas posted at 6:22 am on Sat, Sep 22, 2012.
funny how corporations that pay no federal income tax were not mentioned.
bubba posted at 7:29 am on Sat, Sep 22, 2012.
Brewer's statement ""We all know that he cares about that vulnerable population out there and that there are people that need a safety net and that they need a helping hand,'' ...is a direct opposite of her actions here in Arizona, and proves she is as out of touch as Romney.
Bodacious posted at 8:18 am on Sat, Sep 22, 2012.
Obama hates white people and only wants them around because they're the ones that work to support all those who would rather live off welfare and food stamps than get a job. Democrats...The Welfare Party.[beam]
Dedd...my liberal nemesis from Az Central...how ya doing buddy?
Deddzone posted at 9:09 am on Sat, Sep 22, 2012.
Boda, very well. Enjoying this site and it's free! The other site did not keep their promise, so I will be here.
The problem with discounting Dems and Indie voters is the GOP is losing votes. IF they ever want to win another election (especially the White House) they have to stop the accusations that are not true.
loose stool posted at 3:54 am on Sat, Sep 29, 2012.
obama might win Az if they let all the illegals vote and let the democrats vote 2 or 3 times.You have to be pretty stupid, a government worker or dependant on government hand outs to vote obama.