The latest NBC-WSJ poll, conducted June 20-24, find a tight Presidential race with Mitt Romney three points behind Barack Obama (44{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} Romney – 47{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} Obama) which is within the poll’s margin of error.

For the first time in 2012 Obama’s job approval has slipped to a net negative (47{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} approve – 48{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} disapprove). Compared to last month, the largest drop in support for Obama is among White Working Class voters who moved from already low approval of -20 (36{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} approve – 56{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} disapprove) even lower to -30 (30{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} approve – 60{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} disapprove).

Romney’s image improved among Tea Party Voters and White Independents and strengthened among Core Republicans.

Among those “most interested” in the 2012 election (i.e. those rating their interest as a 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale) the presidential race is dead-even.

Looking deeper into the interest data by partisanship, there were significant shifts for those saying they are “most interested” in the 2012 election. In May 65{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} of Democrats, 66{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} of Independents, and 75{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} of Republicans were considered “most interested.” But in June, Democrat interest increased to 71{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222}, Independents dropped to 53{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222}, and Republicans dropped to 71{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222}.

By age, interest among the youngest voters (18-34), where Obama has a significant double-digit lead, dropped from 49{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} in May to 46{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} June and interest among the oldest voters (65+), where the race is dead-even, increased from 73{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} in May to 77{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} in June.

NBC News / Wall Street Journal — June 20-24, 2012 (PDF Format)

Public Opinion Strategies