Obama, Romney neck in neck in U.S. presidential race – pollsJuly 3, 2012 - 20:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Polls suggest President Barack Obama holds only a small, perhaps meaningless, lead over Republican rival Mitt Romney in the race for the White House as he awaits a new jobs report, Belfast Telegraph said. With unemployment remaining high, Mr Obama and Mr Romney are running neck and neck with no sign that either can break away, as the race enters a final summer lull before the sprint to election day in November. Both candidates are taking a break this week, which includes the July 4 holiday, with Mr Romney at his lakeside compound in New Hampshire and Mr Obama at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. "When it's a two or three-point race, that's not good for an incumbent president," said Republican strategist Rich Galen, who is not affiliated with Mr Romney's campaign. "Obama's political career is totally dependent on Angela Merkel holding the eurozone together," he said, referring to the German chancellor and Europe's financial woes, which could further hurt the U.S. economy. An eventful June began badly for Mr Obama. Poor job creation numbers followed news that Mr Romney's campaign was raising more money than his. Things got worse when Mr Obama told reporters "the private sector is doing fine" - a line now featured in countless Republican attack adverts. Mr Obama was trying to contrast the private sector, which has seen steady but modest job growth, with the public sector, where budget cuts have led to teachers, police officers and other government employees made redundant. The month ended better for the Democratic president. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down much of Arizona's strict anti-illegal immigration law, which his administration had opposed. Then the justices upheld Mr Obama's signature health care overhaul last week. Mr Obama starts a two-day bus tour of Ohio and Pennsylvania, two crucial battleground states that could go either way in the state-by-state contests that decide the election, on Thursday. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |