Washington, Aug. 10 (ANI): U.S. President Barack Obama would have 49 percent of American votes compared to Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney's 40 percent if the presidential election are held today, a new poll has found.

According to the latest Fox News Poll, which is Republican bent, Romney's favourability has fallen after a barrage of campaigns' ads, negative news coverage of his overseas trip, and ongoing talk about his tax returns.

Obama's advantage comes largely from increased support among Independents, who now prefer to vote for him over Romney by 11 percent.

The poll also found that there was an uptick in support for Obama among women, blacks and Democrats.

The Obama campaign has spent heavily on advertising, attacking Romney's time at Bain Capital and his tax returns. And, it appears to be working.

Romney's favorable rating dropped by six percentage points since last month, and now, sits at 46 percent, down from 52 percent in mid-July.

The events of the past two weeks appear to have energized Democratic voters a bit, Fox News quoted Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News poll with Democratic pollster Chris Anderson, as saying.

But perhaps more critically, Romney's support among independents has declined. The Obama campaign has-at least in the short-term-succeeded in raising questions about Romney's fitness to govern and in making this less of a referendum and more of a choice election, Shaw said.

Independents are also twice as likely comfortable with Obama with 33 percent than with Romney at 16 percent as president.

The top reasons voters give for being uncomfortable with Romney include his positions on the issues, that he's phony, he's out of touch, he's a Republican and he's for the rich.

According to the poll, Obama is also more trusted than Romney when it comes on foreign policy, with a 13-point lead. (ANI)