New poll captures a frustrated, unsure electorate

Mitt Romney and Herman Cain remain the top choices among Republican voters, according to a new WSJ/NBC News poll, while President Obama is ahead of both candidates (his lead over Romney has increased to six percentage points from two in October). But voters are clearly unhappy about the direction of the country, and doubtful of any quick turnaround. In fact, 54 percent see the economic troubles as the start of a long-term national decline. From the Journal:

Overall, the restlessness of the electorate makes it likely the 2012 election will be a watershed moment, said the two co-directors of the Journal/NBC News poll, Democrat Peter Hart and Republican Bill McInturff. More than three-quarters of the country says the nation's economic structure is out of balance and favors a very small proportion of the rich over the rest of the country. They say America needs to reduce the power of major banks and corporations, as well as end tax breaks for the affluent and corporations. Sixty percent say they strongly agree with such sentiments. At the same time, 53% of the country believes--and 33% believe strongly--that the national debt and the size of government must be cut significantly, that regulations on business should be pared back, and that taxes shouldn't be raised on anybody.