Poll: Obama holds small Ohio edge; Fla., Va. tight

By Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Anthony Salvanto, Fred Backus and Brian Montopoli

President Obama has maintained a five-point lead in the crucial swing state of Ohio, according to a new Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times poll of likely voters. The survey found that Mitt Romney has gained ground in Florida and Virginia, where the race is now effectively tied.

Mr. Obama now leads Romney 50 percent to 45 percent among likely voters in Ohio - exactly where the race stood on Oct. 22. His lead in Florida, however, has shrunk from nine points in September to just one point in the new survey, which shows Mr. Obama with 48 percent support and Romney with 47 percent. The president's lead in Virginia has shrunk from five points in early October to two points in the new survey, which shows him with a 49 percent to 47 percent advantage.

The margin of error in the poll is plus or minus three percentage points. The survey was taken from Oct. 23 to 28 and completed before the onset of the "superstorm" Sandy.

Romney has taken the lead among seniors in Florida in the new survey and increased his lead among white voters, and he has a significant advantage among independents in Virginia. In Florida and Ohio, the candidates are now running about even on handling the economy. In Virginia, Romney has an edge.

• Poll: Storm puts close race on pause
• Full coverage: Campaign 2012

In Florida and Ohio, the president leads among those who have already cast their ballots, with a significant lead in Ohio, 60 to 34 percent. In Florida, Mr. Obama is up 50 to 44 percent. Among those who have yet to cast their vote, the two candidates are even in these states. Just a small percentage of voters in Virginia have already voted.

There are few voters left in these swing states who haven't made up their minds. Now, at least 95 percent of likely voters - including both Obama and Romney voters - have decided who they will support.

Most supporters from both camps say they strongly favor their candidate, though Mr. Obama's are slightly more likely to say they strongly favor him. But Romney has been improving on this measure - especially in Florida, from 57 percent a month ago to 74 percent today - nearly even with the president.

As they have throughout the fall, in all three states Republicans remain more enthusiastic about voting this year than Democrats. Florida Republicans in particular have become far more enthusiastic than Democrats over the past month. There is now a 16-point enthusiasm gap between Republicans and Democrats in Florida, 63 percent to 47 percent, up from four points a month ago (52 to 48 percent).

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[PEGROSS]

Well 60 Minutes/CBS decided to release more of the Sept 12 interview last night. This was after the Rose Garden. All I can say is its about time and thanks for withholding a BIG part. Sure makes a lot said in the debates and after, a lie. You may want to give it a watch. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50134495n&tag=mg%3B60minutes

[tjs723]

Hello:

CBS News and all of their political reporters are colluding in the destruction of democracy in America in NOT reporting voter suppression and irregularities around the country!!

Eleventh-Hour GOP Voter Suppression Could Swing Ohio
http://www.thenation.com/blog/171011/eleventh-hour-gop-voter-suppression-could-swing-ohio

South Florida County Extends Early Voting — But Only In One GOP Stronghold
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/11/04/1136371/south-florida-county-extends-early-voting-but-only-in-one-gop-stronghold/

GOP Senator Defends Romney Campaign's Misleading Jeep Ad -- http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/11/04/1135301/gop-senator-defends-romney-campaigns-misleading-jeep-ad/

[uggugg]

Just because Mitt Romney met Benjamin Netanyahu in college doesn't mean Romney is an authority on Military matters which could help Israel. Romney doesn't know anything about the Military, the most Mitt Romney can boast about is being in the Boy Scouts when he was a kid, this type of experience can get us in a Nuclear War before we know what happened. The last 10 years of Bush and the Republican Parties crippling 10 trillion dollar war expense has us where we are today. The Jewish population, if they are paying attention to the past ten years, need to understand America's finances have been strained. America and the Jews need to lose any fear they may have, fear is not an asset. Iraq and Afghanistan should prove that. America and Israel are a united team worldwide. We need to negotiate from strength not from fear. Benjamin Netanyahu continually showing fear doesn't help the world's view of Israel and America's relationship. Other Nations draws wrong readings from these foolish actions which could cause anyone of them to do something stupid, drawing both of us into also doing something stupid. The young Jewish voters need to understand this to lose their silly fears and vote for President Obama and they will be glad they did down the road.

[uggugg]

If the Republican Congress will not give Obama what the poor and middle class and the economy needs in general, which also benefits economic growth to generate tax revenue so as Our Government can pay her bills and maintain a healthy economy and lifestyle, why would that same Republican Congress give to Mitt Romney the same thing they would not give to President Obama. If they did, we would all know there is a Fox in the hen house for sure. In other words, Mitt Romney, to deal with that Congress would have to give up your Social Security, your Medicare, you right to everything you now have through President Obama. Mitt Romney would set back the working class people in America, equal to the working class people in China, then your houses would drop in price to what they are in China because no one could afford to own one except the rich and they would own all the property and you could rent from them. They would go back to when the Coal companies dug the coal, built the houses and rented to the miners, built the grocery store and sold groceries to the miners. Corporations would own our soul. Don't let this happen, vote for Barack Obama for another 4 years and enjoy your life while Obama is fighting for you.

[WhatWouldJesusDo]

Jesus said to Peter: "Feed my sheep!" John 21:17 I live in a state ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. And, let me say that Obama is all about takign care of the "least of us." Ryan made a "picture show" of HIS efforts; it was ALL about looking good for the cameras, not BEING good in the way of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior.

Truly I say, Romney and Ryan are hypocrits, who make a mockery of Jesus' command to "love one another." John 13:34. What "love" is there in Romney's false attacks on his "neighbor" Obama? Thou shalt not bear false witness? Romney.

Wake up! Do not vote for a rich serpent like Romney, who talks a great talk but only offers a tainted apple for us to bite! I, for one, would rather starve than bite Romney's "apple."

[viewer432]

We all know polls can differ greatly. But I was very surprised that Frank Luntz (CBS political correspondent employee) stated on CBS This Morning (11/02/12) that Romney was only behind Obama by 1.5 points in Ohio, acknowledging (with Charlie Rose's tacit agreement) that the just released CBS, NYT, Quinnipiac poll (showing a 5 point Ohio lead for Obama) was in error. Does anyone know if all the results of this poll in error?

Viewer

[PEGROSS]

If you check out the data on this poll you see that its very heavy weighted to the Left.

Florida 30%R - 37%D - 29%I
Ohio 29%R - 37%D - 30%I
Virginia 27%R - 35%D - 35%I

error +-3

[Yertle-Turtle]

Republicans for President Obama said "The Tea Party will not silence us."

Listen with your heart to President Obama and join in prayer.

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

[Yertle-Turtle]

WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR ROMNEY TO BE HIS OWN MAN.

Is there any way for Romney to RIGHT the ship in 5 days?

Yes, by turning LEFT and:

1.) Releasing his tax returns.
2.) Stopping the attack ads.
3.) Disclosing his major contributors.
4.) Promising to have a clearly bipartisan committee headed by a Democrat to make Obamacare better not gone.
5.) Reducing military spending to save middle class safety nets.
6.) Tighten gun control laws.
7.) Increase taxes on the wealthiest 1% of Americans.
8.) Support equality across all lifestyles.
9.) Support a woman's right for full control of her body.
10.) Make a college education affordable for every American willing to serve their country.
11.) Support the Dream Act.
12.) Commit to developing alternative energy sources.
13.) Lead the world in an effort to stop global warming.
14.) Appoint centralist Supreme Court justices.
15.) Refuse to be influenced by the Tea Party.
16.) Thank President Obama for his dedication and service to the America people.
17.) Form a coalition in the U N to bring peace to the Middle East.
18.) Stimulate small business growth; make everyone an owner in this country.

Everyone knows none of these things are going to happen because it would be political suicide for Romney to take these positions unless he is willing to switch parties and run again in 2016 as a true compassionate Democrat beholding equally to 100% of all Americans.

[Guitfiddel]

Thank YOU for telling the TRUTH "Yertle-Turtle"! GREAT BLOG!

[sadiedac]

My question to CBS news is why have you not embraced the situation in Libya? Our ambassador and 3 other Americans were killed. This should be top news, especially when we have pictures to show us what happened and calls for help and was denied. When we have people who have lied to us about this, something needs to be done. Do you want people who lie running our government? I am so upset with the media. Where is your values and alligance to our country and for those who serve our country? I am to the point of not watching the news because I don't believe what you all say anymore.

[RetiredArmy_Nurse]

Yep, the Prez will take it. I'm not sure what the electoral vote will be, but it will be well above 270. The problem will be, thanks to gerrymandering, a teabagger congress. With those fools still a force in the House, it will be hard for America to move forward. Perhaps 2014 will be the first time we see the incumbant make gains in congress as America flushes these rascals out.