Survey: SMB owners doubt presidential candidates

According to a recent Manta survey, more than half (54 percent) of small business owners are dissatisfied with the candidates for the 2012 presidential election, with one in five reporting that they are very dissatisfied.

"It's a challenging time to be a small business, especially when you don't always feel supported by those in decision-making roles," said Jim Jansik, owner of Ohio-based small company Go Green Printing.

Approximately one-third (32 percent) of the more than 1,000 small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners polled earlier this month identified current U.S. President Barack Obama as the biggest supporter of small business, followed by Ron Paul (20 percent) and Mitt Romney (16 percent). Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum trailed with 9 percent each.

"Now more than ever, the political candidates need to focus on the issues that are affecting SMBs, such as job creation, taxes and healthcare," said Pamela Springer, president and CEO of Manta.

In his recent State of the Union speech, President Obama called for a reduction of regulations affecting small businesses. He noted that while the sector is the country's primary job creator, workforce expansion is being curtailed by excessive regulations.