Election 2012: Obama leads Romney, helped by independents

Click to View in Browser 05/8/2012 Obama leads Romney, helped by independents WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama extended his lead over Republican Mitt Romney to seven percentage points because of increased support from independent voters and some optimism over the economy, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Tuesday. Lugar makes last ditch appeal to save Senate career INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - Senator Richard Lugar appealed to Democrats to cross party lines and vote for him in the Indiana Republican primary on Tuesday, in a last ditch effort to save his 35-year Senate career from a Tea Party backed rival who accuses him of being too supportive of President Barack Obama. Republican Santorum endorses Romney for president WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum endorsed his one-time fierce rival Mitt Romney on Monday, a move that may help the party's presumptive White House nominee win over religious conservatives. North Carolina voters look set to pass same-sex marriage ban Raleigh, North Carolina (Reuters) - North Carolina voters could deal a blow to efforts across the country to expand gay marriage rights if they approve a state constitutional amendment on Tuesday to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. Wisconsin Democrats pick challenger in governor's recall MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - Wisconsin Democratic primary voters went to the polls on Tuesday to pick a challenger to face Republican Scott Walker in a recall election next month, a closely watched test of labor union strength and barometer of political pressures in a battleground state ahead of November elections. Biden's backing of gay marriage pressures Obama WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Was it a signal by President Barack Obama's re-election campaign, designed to attract gay and lesbian supporters? A trial balloon to test voters' feelings about same-sex marriage? Or just a case of the vice president wandering from the campaign's message? Romney backer sees treason, Obama's campaign cries foul EUCLID, Ohio (Reuters) - It was one of the defining moments of the 2008 presidential campaign: A woman at a rally for Republican John McCain, while asking McCain a question, called Democratic contender Barack Obama "an Arab" who couldn't be trusted. Republicans take the "initiative" in 2012 vote WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Many conservatives are unexcited about Mitt Romney's presidential candidacy, but Republicans are counting on them to come out to vote on issues like abortion and gay marriage, and perhaps tick the Romney box while at the polling station. "Swing states" show tight race for Obama, Romney: poll WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are in a statistical dead heat in Ohio, Virginia and 10 other states up for grabs in the 2012 election, according to a poll released on Monday. Obama ramps up campaign, knocks Romney's CEO past COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama used his first rallies of the 2012 campaign on Saturday to attack Republican Mitt Romney for learning the "wrong lessons" as a business executive, and promised to move the economy forward if he wins a second term. Related Video Obama makes first official campaign stop White House: New approach may be needed in Syria Tales from the Trail Grace Kiser Conservative group accuses teachers unions of "bullying" children Richard Cowan Washington Extra – The Pentagon and the poor The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend