Poll: Obama leading Romney in PA but tied in FL and Ohio

A Quinnipiac University Poll released this morning shows the 2012 presidential race narrowing in the swing states of Florida and Ohio while President Obama has opened up a lead in Pennsylvania on former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, the expected Republican nominee.  Obama leads Romney 47 percent to 39 percent in Pennsylvania while the two men are statistically tied in the other states, 44-43 percent in Florida, 44-42 percent in Ohio.

The poll shows Romney overcoming leads Obama held in a March 28 poll in Ohio and Florida but losing ground in Pennsylvania.  The pollsters note no candidate has won the presidency since 1960 without winning at least two of the three states.

The poll found voters worried about the economy, with 67 percent saying the country in still in a recession, but also signs of optimism, with 51 percent saying a recovery has begun.  Voters in Ohio and Florida gave Romney the edge on economic issues while voters in Pennsylvania were split on which candidate would do better with the economy.

The poll found a natural regional bias when voters were asked about Romney's choice for a running mate.  Twenty-eight percent in Pennsylvania said he should chose N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, double the 14 percent Christie got in Ohio and Florida.  Florida's U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio took 40 percent in his home state, 15 percent in New Jersey and 14 percent in Pennsylvania.  Ohio's U.S. Sen. Rob Portman took 26 percent at home but just 4 percent in Florida and Pennsylvania.