Gallup: Fractures in Obama's white support
(CBS News) As President Obama vies to secure his re-election this November, a new daily tracking poll from Gallup suggests his support among white voters has dropped five points since 2008 - with potentially significant consequences for his prospects this fall.
According to the survey, Mr. Obama faces a decline in support among non-Hispanic whites, college-educated voters, non-religious Americans and some other groups. The poll was conducted from May 21 through June 10, with responses from 7,343 registered voters.
Shortly before he was elected in the fall of 2008, 51 percent of U.S. registered voters supported Mr. Obama, compared to 46 percent today, according to Gallup. The survey shows that young white voters are less supportive of the president than they were in 2008: Mr. Obama's support has dropped from 52 percent support to 43 percent support among non-Hispanic whites between the ages of 18-29, a nine-point drop. Among those 30 and older, the drop is between five and six percent.
The president's support has declined among both non-Hispanic white women and non-Hispanic white men, including college-educated non-Hispanic white Americans of both genders. He enjoys higher support among women from this group, with 41 percent expressing support, than men from this group, 34 percent of whom support him. In 2008, 47 percent of non-Hispanic white women and 41 percent of non-Hispanic white men supported Mr. Obama.
The president has also experienced a loss of support among unmarried non-Hispanic whites, as well as low-income non-Hispanic whites.
The president's support is down nine percent among non-Hispanic whites earning less than $24,000 annually as well as those earning $24,000 to $59,999 annually, the survey shows. Among unmarried non-Hispanic white men, the drop is 12 percent.
According to Gallup's Lydia Saad, the poll shows that voters are split in their preferences for Mr. Obama and presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney - but, she writes, "the declines in support among Obama's core white supporters may be especially troubling for him if his campaign strategy is, as many have speculated, to repeat his strong 2008 performance among women, the working class, and young voters, as well as minorities."
