President Barack Obama has opened up a lead over GOP challenger Mitt Romney in the key swing state of Ohio and continues to hold a lead in Florida, according to two new polls by
The Washington Post. The polls come on the heels of another Post poll that showed Obama up by 8 in Virginia.
The Post polls of likely voters shows Obama leading in Ohio 52 to 44 percent and ahead in Florida 51 percent to 47. Among registered voters in Florida, Obama has a nine-point lead.
The Post notes that no Republican has ever won the White House without Ohio and a loss in both Ohio and Florida would narrow Romney’s chances of victory considerably.
In Ohio, Obama leads on a number of issues tested including Medicare, Medicaid, taxes, social issues, and international affairs. The two candidates run about even on dealing with the federal budget deficit.
Obama holds double-digit leads among women voters in Florida and Ohio. Men are split evenly in Ohio and Romney has a 53 to 45 percent advantage with men in Florida. Obama’s approval rating in both Ohio and Florida is now above the critical 50 percent mark.
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.