"52% See Romney As Mainstream, 45% Say Same of Obama."

A Rasmussen poll of likely voters. 45% see Obama's views as "extreme," while only 30% say that about Romney.

In early May, 50% described Obama’s views as mainstream, while 40% said they were extreme. Romney's views were seen as mainstream by 51% and extreme by 35%. The latest findings are more in line with voters’ perceptions in October of last year, the first time Rasmussen Reports asked this question.

So the "extremeness" gap doubled, as Romney got 5 points less extreme and Obama got 5 points more extreme.  As for moderation, Romney gained merely one point of mainstreamosity, while Obama lost 5.

What has happened since early May that might account for this shift? Obama's same-sex marriage announcement came on May 9th. There's also been a lot of talk about capitalism — Bain and all that.