JULY CBS NEWS - NEW YORK TIMES POLL HAS ROMNEY WITH A 1 POINT LEAD FOR PRESIDENT............

The latest CBS News - New York Times Poll released yesterday finds Governor Mitt Romney leading President Obama by one percentage point, Romney 47% - Obama 46%, with 4% Undecided, and 1% Will Not Vote;  in what is being described by the polling unit itself as, "President Obama and (Governor) Mitt Romney effectively tied in the race for the Presidency".  The poll's margin of error is three percent.  A gender gap favoring Romney among men by eight percent and for Obama by five percent with women, is currently found in this presidential preference poll.  Other findings include a significant difference in the level of strength among each of the candidates' supporters, with 52% of Obama supporters compared to 29% of Romney supporters, expressing strong favorablity for their preference.  More than thirty percent of the respondents supporting Romney say their current choice is based on their dislike for President Obama; while just eight percent of those who prefer Obama at present, say it is based on their dislike of Governor Romney.  Both candidates are upside down in Favorability ratings, with  Obama viewed unfavorable by 48% of registered voters, and favorably by 36%; and Romney seen as unfavorable by 36% and favorably by 32%; the Republican challenger having twice as many Undecided about whether they are favorable or unfavorable toward him than does the Democratic incumbent.  President Obama has a thirteen point edge over Governor Romney for caring a lot about people's needs and problems, 38% - 25%; while by seven percent, 45% - 37% respondents said Obama, versus Romney, says what he believes.  Only 28% feel President Obama has achieved positive change in the country, with 58% stating he has not delivered on the change he promised in 2008, and 7% declaring the change he has attained is bad for the USA.  Twenty percent of those polled say they could still change the choice of candidate they will vote for, with approximately an even number of both Romney and Obama adherents stating their willingness to change their vote to the other candidate.  President Obama's approval rating is at 44%; and disapproval at 46%;  only 39% approval of the President's handling of the economy, with 55% disapproving; down from 44% who stated approval in June.  Fifty four percent of registered voters  rank the state of the Economy as Extremely important to their vote for President,  with 49% stating Romney will be better on economic policies and jobs creation, compared to 41% who believe Obama will be; with two out of five persons believing a member of their families may lose their job.  While the 1,089 poll respondents are split between the candidates on the issues of Health Care and Terrorism, Romney has the advantage on Taxes, 47% - 42%; the Federal Budget Deficit, 50% - 36%; and Illegal Immigration, 46% - 38%; while Obama seen more positively on Foreign Policy, 47% -40%; and on Social Issues 48% - 37%.  Seventy percent say the Economy is getting Worse; the highest negative response since last December, versus 24% who think the Economy is getting Better; down nine percent since April.  With other current presidential preference polls showing higher support for the President and his policies, coming days and updated surveys, will tell us more as to whether it is an outlier or comparable assessment of this highly contentious contest between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama for President of the United States 2012, with three and a half months until General Election Day............Fr.  Troy