Obama faces gender trouble

A new poll shows President Barack Obama has ceded his 16-point advantage among women, while largely erasing Republican challenger Mitt Romney's edge among men, in a presidential race that is virtually tied 12 days before Election Day.

A new poll shows President Barack Obama has ceded his 16-point advantage among women, while largely erasing Republican challenger Mitt Romney's edge among men, in a presidential race that is virtually tied 12 days before Election Day.

The shifting support along gender lines shows Romney is favoured by 49% women voters against 45% for Obama on the question of who is better suited to fix the economy. A month ago, the figures were 56% for Obama and 40% for Romney.

Obama's dip in support among women appeared to reflect a drive by Romney in October to show himself as a more moderate candidate after months of campaigning as a hard-right conservative.

Romney's gains also showed his economic argument has made progress with women as he has sought to soften his image.

The poll shows Obama with a hefty lead, 55% to 41%, among female likely voters on the question of which candidate would make the right decisions on women's issues.

Romney has narrowed Obama leads in many important issues after a commanding first debate performance. Romney has even gained ground among women on the issue of who better understands voters' problems.