Nationwide US polls show Romney’s popularity after TV debate

Mitt Romney is putting a new emphasis on visiting counties that voted for President Barack Obama in 2008, as he urges Republicans in swing states to help him push the president’s supporters to switch sides.

The change in tactics comes as last week’s presidential debate, in which Romney was widely seen as besting the president, has boosted Romney’s standing in both national and battleground-state polls.

A new Gallup survey released Tuesday, its first sounding of likely voters, found that Romney held a two-point lead among the group, 49% to 47%.

Gallup released a breakdown of its previous tracking poll on Monday, which was conducted 30^th September – 6^th October and indicated that Obama held a 50%-45% advantage over Romney from 30^th September – 2^nd October, the three days leading up to last Wednesday’s presidential debate.

It also showed that Romney and Obama were deadlocked at 47% each in the three days after the debate, from 4^th– 6^th October.

Romney has also made gains in polls of several battleground states. And that puts new pressure on Obama’s running mate, Vice President Joe Biden, to turn in a strong showing on Thursday, when he meets Republican Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the GOP vice presidential nominee, in their sole debate.

A Romney campaign official said: “the GOP effort was encouraged by the enthusiasm we are seeing from supporters who are energized, as well as undecided voters who are now giving the Governor a new look.” They are “continuing to work hard to bring home persuadable voters,” he added.

The new Gallup Tracking poll questioned approximately 2,200 registered voters nationwide by telephone.

Alexander Clackson