Campaign 2012

Poll results show Montana likes Obama but disapprove his job performance

Posted: Oct 11, 2012 7:21 AM by Victoria Fregoso - Q2 News
Updated: Oct 11, 2012 7:21 AM

BILLINGS - While national polls show Obama and Romney are neck and neck in the race for president, that's not the case here in Montana. Based on a poll conducted by Montana State University Billings, Romney is far ahead.

"If the election were held today, what our poll says is that Mitt Romney would win by a landslide," said Dr. Craig Wilson, Political Science Professor and poll co-director.

During 2008's campaign, Obama had a significant amount of support from Montana. But just four years later, candidates running for office in the state are using President Obama as a negative example in debates and campaign ads.

"The closer we get to election, the more we're seeing his name invoked in a negative way in certain context," said Jennifer Pope, co-director of this year's poll.

The MSUB poll shows a majority of people disapprove of Obama's overall job performance.

"56 percent disapprove of the president's performance here in Montana and that's not inconsistent," Pope said. "It's very similar to the results of the last few years."

Looking at other numbers collected during the poll, 52-percent of people believe Mitt Romney would be better at reducing the deficit. They also believe Romney would be best at dealing with the economy and international relations. Interviewees did say however, Obama is more likeable out of the two candidates.

"I think what they're saying is they like him more as a person," Wilson said. "And as a president, they think that Romney would be more competent perhaps, in dealing with the issues."

The MSUB poll also shows Obama is shaping the race for other democrats running for office in Montana.