Poll: Most voters concerned with economy

• Tweet

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Nearly 72 percent of voters said President Barack Obama's handling of the U.S. economy will be a major factor in the November election, a poll indicates.

The Washington Post-ABC News poll showed that while Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are virtually deadlocked among registered voters -- 46 percent to 47 percent, respectively -- the economy is the dominant issue in the election.

Romney holds a seven-point lead over Obama with registered voters in the handling the economy, the poll said, though Americans believe Obama has a better understanding of the financial problems most people are facing.

Nearly 60 percent of voters believe Romney would do more to help the wealthy as president and about 60 percent say Obama would do more to help the middle class.

Aside from the economy, nearly half of all voters consider Romney running-mate Rep. Paul Ryan's proposed restructuring of Medicare as a major factor. The same percentage of voters see women's issues as a key factor and about 20 percent are concerned with Romney's tax payments, the poll said.

The telephone poll of 1,002 adults, including 857 registered voters, was conducted Wednesday through Saturday. The margin of error is 4 percent.