The Hill News

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) would defeat President Obama in New Hampshire by eight points if the election was held today, according to a new poll released Friday. 

Forty-seven percent of New Hampshire voters would vote for the the likely GOP presidential candidate opposed to 39 percent who would choose Obama, according to the poll conducted by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Darmouth College.

The results show an edge for Romney in the first in the nation primary state, where he is looking to build a stronghold for presidential bid. 

No other potential GOP candidate approaches Romney's level of support -- Obama leads Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour by 19, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty by 16, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin by 27, Rep. Ron Paul (! Texas) by 20 and billionaire businessman Donald Trump by 22.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is the only candidate who comes within single digits, trailing by eight. At 37 percent, Huckabee is the only candidate who draws more than 30 percent support from voters against Obama.

But the president is struggling with New Hampshire voters, as he is in national polls.

Forty-three percent view him unfavorably compared to 37 percent who view him favorably. Granite Staters see the economy in decline: 39 percent view the economy as “excellent”, “good”, or “fair,” down from 47 percent last year.

The poll surveyed 426 New Hampshire voters between April 11-14. The margin of error is 4.8 percentage points.