More than 4 of 10 likely voters who say they once considered themselves Obama backers now are either less supportive or say they no longer support him at all, according to a Bloomberg National Poll conducted Oct. 7-10…

In a hypothetical presidential match-up against one of the Republican Party’s most prominent figures, Obama beats former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin 51 percent to 35 percent.

Former President George W. Bush and Republicans in Congress still get more blame than Obama or congressional Democrats for the condition of the economy. The White House is trying to tap this current of public opinion with a campaign theme portraying a vote for Republicans as a move “backward” on the economy…

The erosion of backing for Obama among onetime supporters has been most notable among two groups of voters who were central to his election: women and independents. More than 6 of 10 of the former Obama backers who have turned away from him are women; 53 percent of the onetime supporters are independents.