What follows are the results from a very good Quinnipiac poll that Nate regards highly:
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/...
1. Obama beats Romney 49-45 Nationwide
2. Voters expect 54 - 28 percent that the president will win the debates
3. The Pres. leads 56/38% among women and 94/2% percent among black voters
4. Men back Romney 52 - 42 percent while white voters back Romney 53 – 42—Obama
"President Barack Obama won only about 43 percent of the white vote in 2008, so his current standing among whites tracks his earlier winning performance," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "If the president can match or exceed his 2008 showing among whites it will be difficult to impossible for Romney to win."
5. Independent voters 47% Romney – 45% Obama
6. Democrats 45 favorable – 49 unfavorable -- Cons 41 - 52
7. On the economy, 48% Obama; 47% Romney.
8.Romney would do a better job on the budget deficit, voters say 52 - 42 percent.
9. Obama leads on every other issue: 50 - 45 percent on health care, 50 - 44 percent on national security, 52 - 43 percent on handling an international crisis.
10. Obama cares about their needs and problems, voters say 60 - 38 percent. Romney doesn't care, voters say 51 - 46 percent.
And, 83% of voters say that regardless of what happens in the debates, it will not affect their votes.