UPDATE: The RNC weighs in, hitting Obama’s upside down approval rating in the poll (45% approve to 51% disapprove):

“When over half of Coloradans disapprove of the job the president is doing, it’s clear that something has to change,” said spokesperson Ellie Wallace. “Coloradans are ready for a president who is committed to putting the best interest of the middle class first instead of the needs of his political buddies who are looking for our tax dollars.”

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Another Colorado presidential poll, another result that furthers the conventional wisdom that Colorado is tighter than Nancy Pelosi's face. A new Purple Poll released today (PDF) has the race in Colorado within the margin of error, with President Obama at 45% to Governor Romney's 44% with 11% undecided.

The poll has a margin of error of 4% and was conducted July 9-13. Purple Strategies did not release the political party sample in the poll, only that it had 600 respondents. 

There is a silver lining for Romney in the crosstabs, as the poll found that Romney is leading Obama by 6 points with the all-important independent vote, 45%-39%. Those same independents view Obama's job performance horrendously, with 40% approving to a whopping 55% disapproving. 

When it comes to the main argument this election is likely to be decided on — who is better with the economy — it becomes even more clear how close this race is in Colorado:

  • 46% of respondents agreed with the statement "Obama is unable to improve the economy."
  • 45% of respondents agreed with the statement: "Romney couldn't do a better job improving the economy."

These results, and results from a slew of polls before it, make clear the race is going to come down to a few points, likely being decided by a few select swing voters. 

If that's the case, Obama is in weak territory. By a margin of 45%-25%, independents in Colorado think the economy is getting worse, not better.

In swing states, independent voters don’t seem to hold the highest esteem for President Obama. Purple Poll asked respondents in all of their polls (Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, Florida) to compare Romney and Obama to animals. Independents said they see Obama as a snake by 7 points more than Romney. Romney was seen as the family dog by 5 points more than Obama, according to independents.

We guess when it comes to the family dog, independent voters agree with Jim Treacher that it's better to be on the roof of Romney's car than the roof of Obama's mouth.