Mitt Romney struggles to break out of low 40s in battleground polling

It's been three weeks since we last checked in on the battleground polling, per the Talking Points Memo polling composite, and as of now President Barack Obama continues to enjoy a 332-206 advantage in the Electoral College:

Wisconsin had tightened during the recall when polling factored in the recall electorate (in which Republicans ended up more energized). Now that polling is gauging November turnout, Obama's lead has stretched back out into comfortable territory, even breaking the magical 50 percent marker.

What's amazing about the numbers above is the trouble Romney has with breaking 45 percent. He only does it in the three states he leads (Arizona, Missouri and North Carolina) plus Iowa. Heck, he only breaks 44 percent in half of the 14 states. Conservatives can take solace in that Obama hits 50 percent in so few of these battlegrounds, but his path to 50 is much easier.

Fact is, as the Republican House Majority Leader John Boehner admitted recently, Americans won't fall in love with Romney. And his campaign (and damage control efforts) isn't inspiring confidence in anyone.

Given the sorry state of the economy, there are plenty of Americans skeptical of a second Obama term. But no matter how disappointed voters might be in the president, they just can't seem to consider Romney a viable alternative. Check out the results of a fresh Florida poll from the Tampa Bay Times:

TAMPA BAY TIMES of FLORIDA: Obama, 46; Romney, 45. Dig into the numbers, and what's most surprising is that Obama is at all competitive with Romney: 54 percent of likely Florida voters say the country is on the "wrong track" with Obama at the helm. Only 35 percent believe his policies have improved the economy, while 41 percent say they have made it worse. 46 percent of voters approve of the president's job performance, while 50 percent disapprove. 52 percent oppose the healthcare overhaul - Obama's signature achievement recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court - and 50 percent of Florida voters want to see it repealed.

With numbers like that, Obama should be in deep trouble. Instead, it's Romney who is struggling to remain viable.