A new USA Today/Gallup poll released Monday shows Mitt Romney gaining ground in crucial swing states, particularly among women, a traditionally Democratic demographic.
In a poll of registered voters in 12 swing states (Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin), 50 percent supported Romney, compared to 46 percent who support Obama.
These are unfortunate numbers for the president, who had been lagging in national polls over the last two weeks but holding on in swing states, which will have a disproportionate effect on the outcome of the presidential election in November.
Due to the quirky math of the Electoral College, whichever candidate wins a state receives all of that state's electoral votes. Since most states will definitely go for one candidate or the other, states that might swing either way are the focus of the campaign for both parties.
Obama has maintained strong support among minorities, especially African-Americans and Latinos, the latter of whom are heavily represented in many swing states like Florida, Colorado and Nevada.
But the new USA Today/Gallup poll shows eroding support for the president among women in the swing states. In the 12 states covered by the poll, 49 percent support Obama, while 47 percent support Romney.
While Obama still leads among women, he is only up by 2 points, far short of the 13-point lead he had with women in the 2008 election against John McCain.
Democrats have typically counted on strong support from women, since men both nationwide and in swing states tend to skew heavily Republican.
If Obama can't shore up support among women, he won't be able to carry enough states to take the Electoral College.
Look for Obama to mention issues important to women, like abortion care, healthcare and education in the second presidential debate tonight, in an effort to distinguish himself from Romney.
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