Poll: Obama widens lead in Pennsylvania

[WI_DEM]

President Obama, already ahead in Pennsylvania, received a small bump from the Democratic National Convention and now leads Mitt Romney in the state by 11 points, according to the Inquirer Pennsylvania Poll.

But with eight weeks left before the Nov. 6 election, with debates yet to be held, and with foreign affairs suddenly atop the national agenda, it's early to concede the state to Obama, a bipartisan team of Inquirer pollsters said.

"I'm not 100 percent prepared to say Pennsylvania is not in play," said Adam Geller, of National Research Inc., a Republican firm.

Jeffrey Plaut, of Global Research Strategies, Geller's Democratic partner in the Inquirer poll, put it this way: "Is Pennsylvania done? Put a fork in it? I would say not yet."

The Romney camp clearly has signaled doubts about Pennsylvania by slashing TV ads and candidate appearances. Obama, too, has cut back, and the state lags behind Ohio, Florida, and other swing states as targets for the most intensive campaigning.

Here's why:

The Inquirer survey of 600 likely voters, conducted Sept. 9-12, found that 50 percent would vote for Obama if the election were held today, and 39 percent would vote for Romney.

Obama's lead was up from the 9 points found in the first Inquirer poll, Aug. 21-23, in which he led, 51-42. Poll results included voters who were leaning toward a candidate. Both surveys had an error margin of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The Obama edge stands where it was when the 2008 campaign ended. Obama beat John McCain, the GOP nominee that year, by 111/2 points.

A companion Inquirer New Jersey Poll, also taken Sept. 9-12, showed Obama ahead by 14 points, 51-37.

The president's current standing is largely built on his overwhelming backing in the Philadelphia television market, home to more than 40 percent of the state's voters. That offsets support for Romney in the more conservative Pittsburgh market and some other areas.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/poll/Poll_Obama_widens_lead_in_Pa.html

[ananda]

1. Hehheh.

nt

[1GirlieGirl]

2. From my experiences

I grew up in Harrisburg, which seems a lot more conservative than Philadelphia where I've lived for 10 years.

I think it'll be the same here as anywhere else in America: more people believe in President Obama's abilities, intelligence, and competence than in that boob Rmoney. The problem is will everyone who believes in Obama VOTE? I certainly hope so!

[liberalmuse]

3. That's the key right there.

And this is why I like that most of the polls coming out right now are with "likely" voters. I'm really hoping that more registered voters will become likely voters in Obama's favor.

[aaaaaa5a]

4. PPP has decided not to poll in PA again until the last week when every state is polled.

PPP Twitter:

PublicPolicyPolling ?@ppppolls
Seems possible we won't poll PA again until the last week before the election when we poll everything- wouldn't have expected that a year ago.


http://twitter.com/ppppolls




This says a lot about the true state of the race.

[progressoid]

5. Wow

That says a lot.

[speedoo]

6. Obviously, PPP thinks it's no longer in play.

So do I.

[1GirlieGirl]

7. What does that mean? "In play"?

Does that mean PA is decidedly in favor of Obama so there's no reason to keep polling here? Or does it mean no one cares?

[speedoo]

9. It means the former.

Basically they don't see a way for Romney to win the state.

[outsideworld]

8. thats what I would

Also like to know

[calimary]

12. Welcome to DU outsideworld and 1GirlieGirl!

Glad you guys are here - we need you! This isn't won yet. And we CANNOT afford to get complacent!!!!!





Now get to work.

[PCIntern]

10. It's been interesting here in PA...

One of the things which I have noticed is that groups of people discussing Pres. Obama favorably, and listened to by those who disagree with them but remain quiet. It seems as though the minority of Romney voters is being swayed by the majority of Obama voters, something which I have never seen before here. I am not sure if it is people "jumping on the bandwagon", or people who are deciding that the majority are, in this case at least, correct, but I've seen it several times in the last few weeks. I for one I'm quite impressed and pleased by these poll results and believe not only that the voter repression statute will be at the very least delayed, but the Obama camp will win decisively in November and negate whatever voter repression techniques are employed by the extremist right-wing.

[Sebass1271]

11. Although good 600 likely voters

Doesn't represent 300 million Americans. Come on ppl. Let's keep this as accurate as possible.