PHILADELPHIA—Mitt Romney insisted he'll win Pennsylvania in November, despite recent polls showing President Barack Obama building a major lead in the state.
Speaking at a morning fundraiser at the city's tony Union League Club, Romney repeatedly insisted he still has a shot at taking Pennsylvania—and ultimately the White House.
"You know, we really would shock people if early in the evening on Nov. 6 if it looked like Pennsylvania was going to come our way and actually did come our way," Romney said. "That could happen. That could happen."
But a few minutes later, Romney confidently predicted a win, telling supporters, "On Nov. 6, I'm going to win Pennsylvania, and I'm going to become the next president of the United States."
Romney's comments come just days after a New York Times/CBS News/Quinnipiac poll found Obama leading his GOP rival by 12 points in the state, 54 percent to 42 percent. Romney aides have disputed public polls in recent days, suggesting their campaign's internal numbers are better in battleground states.
It was Romney's first trip to the state since July—and the first time in several months that he had visited the area around Philadelphia, which is considered to be one of the state's swing districts.
The GOP candidate is set to hold a rally in Wayne, Pa., just outside Philadelphia, before heading to Boston, where he's scheduled to attend more fundraising events Friday.