Poll Tracker

If the 2012 election were held now, President Obama would be re-elected comfortably, despite his approval sliding below 50 percent and rising doubts among independent voters, according to a Clarus Research Group poll conducted Aug. 14-19.

Clarus found that Obama would win in trial heats against a slate of possible Republican candidates:

-- Against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, 47 percent to 38 percent;

-- Against former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, 53 percent to 34 percent;