Obama keeps edge in swing states

Republicans have been dancing in the streets. Obama is looking increasingly like a one-term president with his poll numbers falling, a stagnant economy with a worsening forecast, and Mitt Romney bringing in more money than any previous contender in history. But are the celebrations premature?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - You bet. Obama still has an edge in virtually every category. The most important edge however, is then one he holds in the swing states. It's a peculiarity of the electoral college, that the election is decided by a handful of people in a few states. And that is where the bulk of all campaign spending will be done. 

According to USA TODAY and Gallup polling in swing states, Obama seems to be winning the battle for votes in those areas. Poll results say some 76 percent of voters now favor President Obama over Romney after seeing the ads. 

Democrats are concentrating their attacks on Romney's record as governor of Massachusetts. The ads also make apologetics for Obama's lackluster record over the past four years, asserting that Obama inherited problems created by the Bush administration. 

Detailed analysis of the polls reveals that Obama's ads are having their greatest impact in recovering Democrats who may have fallen away from supporting Obama. Thirteen percent of Democrats say their minds have been changed according to an article in the USA Today. Likewise, 9 percent of independents have been moved by the ads and only 3 percent of Republicans have been impacted. 

Obama is also outspending Romney in the swing states. 

However, Romney will soon bring much of his money to bear against Obama and that may shift the initiative away from Obama. 

Voters also told the poll that they remember the negative ads - as much as they hate them. 
A few voters are using the ads to make their mind, while many say they are looking at a variety of sources for information to make their decision. However, for most Americans, their minds are made up. They want Obama to continue on his present course or they want Romney to change the direction in Washington. 

Ultimately, the election will be decided by a handful of voters in a few states. And both campaigns will spend hundreds of millions of dollars to earn them. And with an election looking to be so close, there is no reason to celebrate early. 
 

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