Mich poll: Obama leads Romney, Gingrich

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - If the general election were held now, President Barack Obama would carry Michigan against either Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich, a new EPIC-MRA poll reveals.

The poll of 600 likely voters taken between Jan. 21-25, 2012 and was conducted on behalf of WOOD TV8 and our broadcast partners.

The president would beat Romney in Michigan 48-40, and Gingrich by 51-38.

This is despite the fact only 43% of respondents had a positive impression of the job President Obama is doing, while 56% view his performance negatively.

With the Michigan primary - set for February 28 - becoming increasingly important, Republican voters prefer Romney over Gingrich, 31-26. Ron Paul garners 14% and Rick Santorum has 10%. However, 19% are either undecided or refused to answer.

The poll has a margin of error of plus/minus 4%.

Michigan figures to be a battleground state for both the Republican nomination and the general election, and 24 Hour News 8 will cover the action as it happens.

Inside woodtv.com:

The EPIC-MRA Poll of Jan. 25, 2012 (pdf)