John Zogby's JZ Analytics: Obama Leads Romney by 9 Points

President Barack Obama has a 9-point lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney in a new JZ Analytics Online Poll that also found a substantial gender gap.

The poll, conducted March 23 and 24 among 709 likely voters, showed Obama leading Romney 45 to 36 percent overall, with a 5-point lead among men, 43 to 38 percent. However, Obama holds a 14-point lead among women, who prefer the president 47 to 33 percent over the former Massachusetts governor.

IObama also holds leads over Romney in key demographic groups. Obama leads among Hispanics 59 percent to 24 percent, moderates, 55 percent to 26 percent and 18 to 29 year-olds support the president 58 percent to 29 percent.

"The president continues to benefit from the economy breaking his way and from Republican disarray,” pollster John Zogby said of the results. “He has tightened up his base, but he has problems with independents — he and Romney are tied at 35 percent each, with 16 percent saying they will vote for ‘someone else,’ and 14 percent undecided.

“Among voters identified in swing states, the president leads by 4 points [43 percent to 39 percent]. This sample included nearly the identical number of tea party supporters [182] and Occupy Wall Street supporters [181]. Among the former, Romney leads 75 percent to 8 percent, and among the latter, Obama is ahead 70 percent to 16 percent."

Regardless, the poll found that Obama’s job approval rating is stuck at 46 percent, and 41 percent feel the president deserves to be re-elected. On a generic congressional ballot, 41 percent say they will vote Democratic and 38 percent Republican.