As the election for the presidency approaches, the race is tightening. One of the most important issues on the minds of many Americans is the economy. President Obama and Mitt Romney are now virtually tied on the question of which one could best fix the U.S. economy. A new poll showed the two tied at 47% on how to best handle the economy.

Among voters who answered the recent poll, the economy was by far the most important topic. Over half of U.S. voters who were polled said the deciding issue for them at the polls in November would be the economy. Issues regarding taxes and health care have lost the interest of most voters, who want to know if they will keep their jobs and whether the cost of living will remain the same or increase.

In the poll, 80% of those who responded said they still felt the economy was a negative, with over 54% saying they held more optimism than pessimism for the next few years. As far as jobs creation, voters were split, as Obama nipped Romney by a single percentage point.

Obama also fares better as far as having the better character needed to be the president (52% to 39%) and enthusiastic Obama voters out number enthusiastic Romney voters 2 to 1. However, there are trends that should be concerning to the president. In April, he enjoyed nearly a 20% lead against Romney with female voters, but in the latest poll that lead has dropped to just 7 percentage points.

As far as people saying how they stand financially now as compared to 2009 when Obama took office, it should be alarming if you are Obama. Thirty percent said they feel worse off and just 16% said they are better off financially.