Obama leads Ohio; Va. and Fla. tight

David Jackson, USA TODAY | USATODAY

President Obama holds a 5-point lead over Mitt Romney in Ohio, and the two candidates remain very close in Virginia and Florida, according to a new Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times poll of likely voters.

Obama leads by 50%-45% in Ohio, the state many analysts believe will decide the election; that's the same margin he had in the same poll on Oct. 22.

The president once had a 9-point lead over Romney in Florida, but that has now shrunk to a single point, 48%-47%, well within the margin of error.

In Virginia, the poll put Obama up 49%-47%, also within the margin of error.

Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute:

"After being subjected to what seems like a zillion dollars' worth of television ads and personal attention from the two candidates reminiscent of a high school crush, the key swing states of Florida and Virginia are too close to call with the election only days away.

"President Barack Obama clings to a 5-point lead in Ohio, but Gov. Mitt Romney has narrowed the president's lead that existed in Florida and Virginia before the first debate."

From CBS News:

"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.

"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."