In general election matchups, President Obama edges Republican candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich by precisely the same percentages, 50%-48%.

The findings underscore how much the 2012 election is about Obama, not his opposition. That’s disquieting news for the president’s strategists, who argue the election should be seen as a choice between two candidates, not a referendum on the incumbent.

By overwhelming ratios, those who support the president say they will cast their votes to support Obama, while by roughly 2-1, backers of Romney and Gingrich will cast their votes to oppose Obama.