NPR: Romney 48% Obama 47%

Yet another national poll suggests the race tied up, as a new National Public Radio survey shows Mitt Romney picking up 48% of the vote, while Barack Obama snags 47%.

The race is different, though, in the swing states, where Obama (in a smaller sample) takes a 50%-46% lead.

Here are the key, national stats:

a. Romney leads with independents, 51%-39%.

That's similar to Romney's 10% lead with indies in the TPM national average of indie polling. Again, it's not clear how Obama can overcome a double-digit loss among independents.

b. Romney's favorable rating is 51%/45%, while Obama's is 51%/48%, which once again confirms the fact (reflected in the RCP average) that Romney's net favorable rating is now, on average, higher than Obama's.

Did anyone think we'd get to the point where Romney's favorable rating actually bested Obama's? Just an unbelievable reversal.

Here's something to consider, though. Sandy might give the president's favorable ratings a real boost as the country sees him managing the fallout. A boost in favorable ratings generally means a boost in votes and attributes across the board, so I'd expect a rebound for Obama on favorability. 

c. Obama's approval rating sits at 49%/49% and at 42%/54% among independents.

But, on the economy, the president's approval rating with indies drops to 39%/60%, although he fares better among all voters, at 47%/52%.

Again, though, depending on how serious and how visible Obama is during the Sandy crisis, his approval rating could jump significantly.

d. Romney leads on the economy and jobs, 50%-46%, and indies prefer him on the measure, 55%-36%.

e. Romney leads on the deficit and debt, 51%-43%, and indies pick him, 56%-33%, on the measure.

f. Romney leads Obama on taxes, 49%-47%, and indies prefer him on the issue, 52%-40%.

g. Obama leads Romney on healthcare, 48%-47%, but indies pick Romney, 48%-43%.

h. Obama leads Romney on Medicare, 46%-44%, but indies prefer Romney, 46%-44%.

i. Obama leads on foreign policy, 52%-43%, and indies also give the president the nod, 46%-44%.

j. Obama leads on national security, 48%-46%, but indies pick Romney by 4%.

k. Republicans are, once again, most enthusiastic. 76% of GOPers rate their enthusiasm as 10/10, while 66% of Democrats say the same, and just 54% of indies put themselves at 10/10.

That's the question for Romney going forward. Can he get indies to the polls to reap full rewards of his strength with them?

OVERALL: Just look at those internals. When indies pick Romney on things like healthcare and Medicare, you know Obama is in store for a rough showing with indies, overall.

Having said that, look for a Sandy-inspired bounce for Obama both in approval and favorability, and even though these things tend to be temporary, the election is only one week away and the immediacy of Sandy could have a profound effect.

[Hat tip: Real Clear Politics]