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A new poll commissioned by The Seattle Times and The Spokesman-Review of Spokane finds that the state's voters, frustrated with the deepest economic slump since the Great Depression, have retreated somewhat from their 2008 embrace of President Obama.
Voters, however, pin more blame on Republicans for the economy and trust Democrats more to fix the nation's problems. Still, significant chunks of the electorate blame both and trust neither. /snip
The poll, a snapshot taken Sept. 9-12, shows strengths and vulnerabilities for candidates in both parties as they refine their messages in the final weeks of their campaigns.
Skepticism over Obama's economic policies and broad support for at least some of the tea party's small-government message may bode well for the GOP. Nearly half said the tea-party movement shares some or most of their views. But those who vote most consistently still lean to the left.
In the season's marquee campaign, Sen. Patty Murray, an 18-year incumbent Democrat, led Republican Dino Rossi. Forty-nine percent said they definitely or probably would vote for Murray; 41 percent went with Rossi. As a group, independent and undecided voters appeared to favor more of Rossi's policy positions asked about in the poll. /snip
In every part of the state, and by wide margins, voters such as Tia Jones said jobs and the economy are the top issue this election. The federal budget deficit ranked a distant second, while concerns about war, terrorism and immigration barely registered. /snip
Support for Obama has slipped since he captured 58 percent of the vote in 2008. About half of voters in the poll think he's fulfilling campaign pledges, but only 38 percent believe his policies have helped the economy. /snip
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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012937028_poll19m.html