Why Wisconsin moderates still matter, and more news from the swing states
(CBS News) What role did moderates play in Wisconsin's Tuesday recall? Who's to blame for the ongoing student loan standoff? And are things about to get worse for out-of-work Ohioans? Below, CBS News presents the latest political headlines from battleground states across the nation.
In Wisconsin, moderates still matter
Wisconsin politics have taken on a particularly partisan pall in recent days - particularly in light of Tuesday's nasty gubernatorial recall election - but there's still quite a few moderates to be reckoned with in the state. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Walker won their votes on Tuesday. The Journal Sentinel's Craig Gilbert analyzes a small but crucial group of pragmatic, non-ideological voters who helped Walker hold on to his seat.
In Virginia, new poll shows Obama with the edge
A new Quinnipiac poll shows President Obama with a five-point advantage over Romney in Virginia, a key swing state that the president clinched in 2008. More good news for the president? According to the survey, same-sex marriage -- for which the president recently came out in support -- will likely have little impact on the race.
Despite voter controversy, Scott talks jobs
Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., may be dealing with an ongoing controversy over his administration's recent efforts to purge Florida voter rolls of potential non-citizens, but in a Daytona speech Wednesday, the controversial Republican governor focused squarely on the economy. Never mind the woman wearing a "Purge Rick Scott" t-shirt - Scott expressed high hopes for the state's future as a job creator, according to the Daytona News-Journal. "Every day I think about how we're going to beat Gov. Perry. I call him every couple of weeks to tell him we're going to do it," he said. Florida's economy may well have bearing on the election this fall: There are 29 delegates up for grabs in the key battleground territory, and the state of the economy could help determine who wins them.
For jobless Ohioans, times may soon get tougher
For unemployed Ohioans, the road ahead may be even tougher in the coming months. According to the Dayton Daily News, tens of thousands of people in state have exhausted their unemployment benefits, and others face strict new eligibility rules. Getting aid, in other words, is about to get a whole lot harder. And that's not even considering the fact that 300,000 Ohioans will stop getting unemployment checks if Congress fails to extend jobless benefits past the end of the year.
Jeb Bush throws his weight behind Connie Mack
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush isn't just out stumping for Mitt Romney these days - he's also using his considerable influence among Floridians to give a boost to Connie Mack, who's challenging Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson for his U.S. Senate seat. Bush is a popular figure in the state, but Mack faces an uphill battle - and Democrats are expected to invest plenty of time and money into holding onto their seat in the Sunshine State.
As Obama heads to Nevada, fingerpointing continues in student loan debate
President Obama heads to Nevada today to tout his support for affordable higher education, but Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over a deal to extend low student loan rates, which expire in July. Who's at fault? Depends who you ask: The GOP blames Democrats for failing to consider their ideas; Obama, meanwhile, targets Republicans for congressional gridlock.
Haley Bull contributed to this report