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Some key swing states leaning to Obama

Compiled by Juliann Vachon

October 7, 2008

In the period leading up to tonight's debate in Nashville, the presidential election map changed substantially. Polls showed that Democrat Barack Obama pulled ahead in key swing states after two weeks of economic uncertainty, while Republican John McCain found himself on the defensive in battleground states - many of which traditionally vote Republican. Here's what happened:

OHIO

Obama +3.0

Obama pulled ahead in polls Wednesday, two days after the House voted down a Wall Street rescue bill, and the Dow plunged more than 777 points in one day. McCain had enjoyed a small lead in the middle-class industrial swing state since mid-August.

FLORIDA

Obama +3.0

Polls show that Obama overcame McCain's small yet steady lead in the Sunshine State last week for the first time in more than eight months. Some analysts say McCain has been less aggressive here than Obama - and that this, coupled with heavy economic turbulence, has put him on the defensive.

NEVADA

Obama +1.8

While polls have shown Obama and McCain neck and neck all year, surveys last week showed McCain had lost his recent edge, with Obama gaining after the stock market plunge and passage of the bailout. This traditional Republican stronghold supported Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996.

VIRGINIA

Obama +2.4

Polls last week showed Obama slightly ahead of McCain. While both Democratic and Republican analysts say the race remains too close to call, they agree McCain must do more to keep up.

NORTH CAROLINA

Obama +0.5

The economic crisis helped push Obama ahead of McCain for the first time all year here. Obama's lead might not break the margin of error, but analysts say the shift forces McCain to invest more time and energy in a traditionally red state where, as recently as early September, McCain had held a 4-point lead.

Polling data based on RealClearPolitics.com average of recent polls