Poll puts Obama and Romney in dead heat

Some better poll news for Mitt Romney today, as a new survey puts him in a near-dead heat with President Obama.

The president has 48%, while Romney has 47%, well within the margin of error, according to the Politico-George Washington University Battleground Poll.

"Favorability is virtually tied between President Obama and Romney, 47% to 46%," said the poll.

The Battleground Poll comes a week after surveys by CNN and Fox News gave Obama leads of seven and nine points over his Republican challenger.

All of the surveys were conducted in the days leading up to Romney's announcement of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate.

Other tidbits from the Politico/George Washington University poll:

-- Obama leads Romney on who will better handle foreign policy (54% to 39%), stand up for the middle class (54% to 40%), and on running a positive campaign (48% to 37%).

-- 61% disapprove of how President Obama is handling the federal budget and spending.

-- 52% of voters say their vote for Romney is more of a vote against Obama.

Congress

-- 78% of voters disapprove of the job Congress is doing; 16% approve.

-- 26% think the economy is the most important issue Congress should focus on; 17% believe government spending and the budget deficit is the most important issue.

Jobs/Economy

-- 33% believe the national economy is recovering; 24% believe it's not moving and 41% believe it's either in a recession or approaching one.

-- Thinking about the national economy three months from now, 28% believe it will either be in a recession or be approaching one; 34% believe it will not be moving and 33% believe the economy will be recovering.