Mitt Romney is leading Obama on the economy in a new poll

More people disapprove of Obama’s handling of the economy than approve, according to the new national poll from Washington Post/ABC News. The poll finds that 54% disapprove of the job Obama is doing on the economy, while 44% approve. The economy is expected to be the key factor in the election, with 53% in the poll rating it “an extremely important decision,” a larger percentage than on any other issue polled. Asked who voters trusted more “to do a better job handling the economy,” Romney earned 49% compared to Obama’s 44%. Romney also leads on a question about handling the federal deficit, 52% to 42%. When you consider how slanted the poll is, the numbers should terrify Obama. Of the respondents only 24% call themselves Republicans, with a full 60% are listed as Democrat or independent. While most Americans continue to disapprove of Obama’s handling of the economy, that’s not his only problem. More than half fault him on health care and immigration as well. Sixty-three percent say that the country’s headed in the wrong direction, an unhelpful view for an incumbent. And among groups, he’s losing swing-voting independents by a record 14 percentage points.

Related: Romney extends lead among Independents to 14 percent