A politician promising to fix the economy has about as much credibility as a plumber promising to fix your electrical problems. Most voters recognize the importance of government in providing a healthy business environment, but they believe it's the private sector that creates economic growth. They're hoping to find a president who understands that, as well.

◼ Rasmussen Column: Why Barack Obama Is Still In the Race Despite the Weak Economy - Newsbusters

So Romney has a slight edge, but the emphasis is on the word slight. And among the key block of unaffiliated voters who will decide the election, just one in four expects either man to make things better.

Part of the skepticism comes from the fact that 66 percent of voters believe that the best thing the government could do to help the economy is to cut spending. But most voters don't believe spending will be cut no matter who wins in November. Additionally, voters overwhelmingly trust their own economic judgment more than they either Romney's or Obama's.

Yet there is a larger issue at work here. Politicians and their cheerleaders in the political class assume that the role of government is to manage the economy. Most voters don't. In fact, most think it's more important for the government to protect individual rights than to promote economic growth.