Schieffer: Poll shows Romney has much work to do within GOP

(CBS News) In the race for the White House, it could not be closer between President Obama and Mitt Romney. A CBS News-New York Times poll out Wednesday finds voters evenly split: 46 percent to 46 percent.

But keep in mind that it will be a state-by-state battle for 270 electoral votes, and our CBS News election unit estimates that 11 states are up for grabs. They will decide the election.

And the voters who swing those states are likely to be the independents. Independents in our poll are just about evenly split too, with 42 percent for Romney and 41 percent for the president. "CBS Evening News" anchor Scott Pelley spoke with "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer about the numbers.

Pelley: Bob, what do you see?

Schieffer: Scott, I think most people who follow politics, including me, have always thought this presidential race was going to be close. But the deeper you get into these numbers, the closer it appears to be. The president has always had the overwhelming support of Democrats, but now that these divisive Republican primaries are winding down, Republicans are falling in behind Mitt Romney.

But he still has some work to do within his own party. Look at these numbers Scott: 90 percent of Republicans say they back Mitt Romney, but 40 percent of those supporters have reservations compared to 33 percent who support him enthusiastically.

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Maybe the best news for Romney is that he seems to be catching up with the President among women voters. Last month, the president held a double-digit lead among women that has shrunk now to six points. Single women support the president overwhelmingly -- 65 percent -- but ... Romney leads among married women 49 to 42 percent.

The bottom line here Scott, I think a lottery ticket is a better investment than betting on whose going to win this race. It is very, very close.