The latest NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll is out, and there's good news for both political candidates. The President currently holds a 6-point lead over Mitt Romney in a head-to-head match up, driven largely by leads in the female, Latino, and African American voting blocs. But he's vulnerable on the issue of the economy, where Mitt Romney enjoys higher marks. Trouble is, the poll indicates there is a growing consensus that the American economy is strengthening under President Obama - theoretically undermining Romney's core message.
Most importantly, perhaps, is that it's only still April. NBC-WSJ pollster Bill McInturff says that regardless how the numbers sway over the coming months, 2012 will be a "very, very close campaign" mirroring 2000 and 2004. We have a "long, long way to go," pollster Peter Hart adds.
So next time you hear someone say the election is in the bag for either candidate, let them know - we're in for a lot of fun.
PANEL
Michael Eric Dyson, Georgetown University/msnbc Political Analyst (@medyson)
Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times (@lynnsweet)
John Heilemann, New York Magazine/msnbc Political Analyst (@jheil)
Ben Smith, Editor-in-Chief, BuzzFeed (@buzzfeedben)
GUESTS
Fmr. Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL)
David Javerbaum, Fmr. Executive Producer, “The Daily Show”