The race for the White House would be a dead heat if President Obama faced Mitt Romney in the general election, according to a brand new poll.

The Rasmussen Reports survey found Obama and the former Massachusetts Governor would each receive 45 percent support if the election was held now.

The same survey found the President would have a 49 percent to 41 percent lead if he faced former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in November.

The poll of 1,500 likely voters has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.