The storm clouds gathering over President Obama’s bid for re-election have thickened with the release of a new poll from the respected Pew Research Center that gives Mitt Romney a four-point lead among likely voters.

"Republicans come out of the TV debate very energised', said Carroll Doherty, Pew Research Center's associate director. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images | The Guardian

The Pew survey of 1,511 adults was carried out over four days starting on the day after the first presidential TV debate last week. Its findings – including evidence that the Republican nominee is making dramatic headway with female voters, young people and those in the heartlands of the mid-west – appear to confirm that Obama’s listless performance at the debate, and by contrast Romney’s strong showing, has translated into a powerful political force.

Read the full article in the Guardian