Swing States of America: Candidate Tracker and News, July 20

Obama campaigns to African Americans, an important voting bloc in swing states

Photo courtesy of The Huffington Post

Candidate Tracker:

Barack Obama: The President planned to spend two consecutive days campaigning in Republican strongholds of Florida, probably in response to a new poll indicating he now only leads by one percentage point in that swing state. However, Obama cancelled today's campaign events to address last night's Colorado shooting incident. The First Lady similarly cancelled her campaign events in Virginia to address on the shootings.

Mitt Romney: Gov. Romney and prospective running mate Kelly Ayotee were scheduled to campaign at a lumber company in Bow, New Hampshire. Instead of campaigning at the venue, they will address last night's tragic events.

See our tracker summary for Barack Obama since he became president and Mitt Romney since he effectively earned the Republican nomination.

Latest Stories on the Candidates' State Strategies:

Romney Pulls Colorado Advertising

Politico / July 20, 2012

In the aftermath of last night's Colorado shooting, Romney and Obama are taking a sensitive approach by asking networks to stop airing ads in that swing state until further notice, Politico reports.

NPR Poll: Obama Up 2 Nationally, Race Tied in Swing States

Politico / July 19, 2012

"Among all voters, Obama leads by a tiny 2-point margin, 47 percent to Romney's 45 percent. In the swing states, both candidates draw 46 percent support," Politico reports. This will make campaigning in swing states even more critical and strategic.

Black Voter Turnout Could Make A Big Difference In Several Swing States, Report Finds

Huffington Post / July 17, 2012

This Huffington Post story cites a new report from the National Urban League showing that African Americans are a crucial voting bloc in swing states--that, if they turn out as much as they did in 2008 Obama could win. If the League's analysis is true, we can predict Obama will make greater efforts to bring African Americans to voting centers.

Mitt Romney Closes the Gap in Virginia, a Key Swing State

The Inquisitr / July 19, 2012 

Although Obama enjoyed a 47-42 percent lead in Virginia in early June, a new poll from Quinnipiac University reveals that the two candidates are now deadlocked at 44 percent each. We can expect Obama to focus even more effort in that state, which other analysts have pinned as the most important battleground this election.

Obama Returns to Florida Battleground

CNN / July 19, 2012

The contest for Florida's 29 electoral votes is extremely close, with 46 percent of registered voters backing Obama and 45 percent favoring Romney. This situation has drawn the President back to that swing state to campaign for his seventh time this year.

Obama Says Texas Becoming Battleground State

CBS News / July 17, 2012

No wonder Obama spent Tuesday fundraising in Texas--it's becoming a battleground state, according to this CBS piece.

Air War Underway in Swing States as Candidates Pour Money into Attack Ads

CBS News / July 18, 2012

CBS, citing a report from a company that tracks political ads, confirms that there are closer to eight swing states than fifteen: Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and New Hampshire. Those swing states, which are deluged with negative campaign ads, are "getting all the attention" this election.