WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney are locked in a dead heat among Americans in the race for the White House, according to a new poll.

According to the CBS News/New York Times poll, 47 percent Americans back Romney, while 46 percent support Obama. However, Romney leads with eight points among men, while Obama leads with five points among women.

More than one in three Romney voters said that they are supporting Romney primarily because they dislike Obama. Only 8 percent of Obama supporters said their support for the President is tied to their dislike of Romney.

Almost 54 percent Americans cite the economy and jobs as ‘extremely’ important in their presidential vote, more than any other issue. Almost 49 percent Americans said that Romney would do a better job handling the economy and jobs, while 41 percent said the same for Obama.