Poll: Race for White House remains tight in 3 key states

Joel Roberts
Obama and Romney. (Carolyn Kaster, Evan Vucci/AP Photo)
Obama and Romney. (Carolyn Kaster, Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney remain locked in a tight race in the key swing states of Colorado, Wisconsin, and Virginia, according to a Quinnipiac University/New York Times/CBS News poll released early Wednesday.

Obama leads by 49-45 percent in Virginia and 51-45 percent in Wisconsin, while Romney has a 50-45 percent advantage in Colorado.

Obama won all three states in the 2008 election.

The poll results "highlight the stubborn divisions of this year's presidential race among two of the most important voting groups in the most hotly contested states," namely white working-class voters and women.

The Times says Romney has been able to withstand Democratic efforts to portray him as an "out-of-touch elitist" and is so far maintaining "the traditional — and sizable — Republican advantage" with white working-class voters.

Obama, meanwhile, has fought off Republican attempts to weaken his popularity with women, and "is holding on to their crucial support in most battleground states."