A report released by Gallup on Tuesday found that the gender gap among voter preferences has been fueled by bigger changes in men's preferences than in women's preferences since the 2008 election. According to Gallup, Republican presidential candidate leads President Barack Obama by 14 points among men, whereas Obama and John McCain were tied among men in 2008.
Tuesday's report also revealed a minor drop in women's voter preferences since 2008. Gallup revealed that Obama leads Romney by eight points among women, whereas he previously led McCain by 14 points in 2008. The gender gap in candidate preferences is also wider by eight points (22 points to 14 points in 2008), Gallup stated.
While the president has lost support among both gender groups since 2008, he has seen a greater drop among men, 14 points compared to the 6-point drop among women.
According to a recent analysis of important issue among each gender group in swing states by Gallup, men do not report any specific-gender issues but rather list jobs, the economy, the deficit, healthcare and taxes. Gallup found that these are issues Romney is considered the better candidate for, which might explain his stronger support among men.
On the other hand, women in this swing state analysis listed abortion and equal rights as part of their most important issues this election, as well as jobs, healthcare and the economy. President Obama has been considered the best candidate among social issues, thus explaining his support among women.
Gallup's analysis revealed that "national polling among registered voters indicates that Obama is given the clear edge, 53% to 37%, on government policies relating to birth control, and polling in late September shows that he led Romney on "social issues such as gay marriage and abortion" by 26 points."
However the same analysis found that when asked about the most important issues facing the country, women responded similarly to men.
Romney has continued to enjoy a slight lead among likely voter preferences indicating "he leads among men by a wider margin than Obama leads among women." Nevertheless, Gallup noted that there is still plenty of time for potential voters among both gender groups to change their minds before the November 6 presidential election.