Obama widens lead over Romney despite jobs data

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - President Barack Obama, picking up support following the Democratic National Convention, widened his narrow lead over Republican US presidential challenger Mitt Romney in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Saturday.

The latest daily tracking poll showed Mr Obama, a Democrat, with a lead of 4 percentage points over Mr Romney. Forty-seven per cent of 1,457 likely voters surveyed online over the previous four days said they would vote for Mr Obama if the Nov 6 elections were held today, compared with 43 per cent for Mr Romney.

"The bump is actually happening. I know there was some debate whether it would happen... but it's here," said Ipsos pollster Julia Clark, referring to the "bounce" in support that many presidential candidates enjoy after nominating conventions. Mr Obama had leapfrogged Mr Romney in the daily tracking poll on Friday with a lead of 46 per cent to 44 per cent.

The president's lead comes despite a mixed reaction to his convention speech on Thursday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Friday's government data showing that jobs growth slowed sharply last month.