WASHINGTON – US president Barack Obama is far ahead of potential Republican rivals in the 2012 presidential election, despite worsening news on the economy, a Reuters/Ipsos poll has shown.
Mr Obama leads his nearest challenger, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, by 13 percentage points.
The survey was taken after weak unemployment and housing data last week that showed the economy is recovering much slower than expected.
In a question to Republican voters, Mr Romney, who announced his candidacy last Friday, was in second place behind Sarah Palin in a match between potential Republican hopefuls.
Former Alaska governor Ms Palin, who has not said if she will run, had support of 22 per cent, against Mr Romney’s 20 per cent. Mr Obama’s approval rating rose one point from last month, to 50 per cent. – (Reuters)
