CNN Poll: GOP holds narrow midterm advantage

Republicans hold a 1-point advantage on a generic congressional ballot test, according to a CNN poll released Monday. 

The survey found 46 percent of registered voters would choose a Republican candidate if the midterm elections were held today. Another 45 percent would choose a Democrat. 

{mosads}Republicans hold a narrow advantage in recent polling of the generic congressional ballot, according to the Real Clear Politics average. Earlier Monday, USA Today and Pew Research found Republicans had a larger 4-percent advantage. 

Republicans hold a 17-seat majority in the House and it is not expected to be in play the during a tough midterm climate for Democrats, as their party holds the presidency. Republicans in the Senate would need to net six seats to win back the majority in the upper chamber.

The CNN poll found a narrow plurality would like to see a divided Congress with Democrats holding onto to their Senate majority if the House remains Republican. Forty-five percent of people said they would like to continue to see Democratic Senate control, while 42 percent would prefer a switch to the GOP. 

However, 41 percent of independents would like to see GOP control of the Senate, while 38 percent would like to see Democrats maintain control. 

The majority of registered voters, 53 percent, said President Obama would not factor into their midterm decision. Twenty-five percent said they would vote to send a message that they oppose Obama. Another 20 percent said they would vote to send a message that they support Obama. 

The president’s approval rating is largely unchanged at 43 percent, while 55 percent disapprove of his job as president. 

The poll surveyed 1,008 adults, including 911 registered voters, and contains a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent among registered voters.