(CNN) - As President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney campaign in Virginia this week, a new poll shows the president with a seven point advantage over his likely opponent in the Commonwealth.
Fifty-one percent of voters said they would vote for the president if the election were held today, while 44% said Romney, according to the Washington Post poll released Thursday.
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Virginia will be crucial battleground territory this fall, as Obama attempts to capture the state as he did in 2008, with 53% of the vote. He was the first Democrat to win Virginia in a presidential election since 1964.
In the last four years, however, the state has elected a Republican governor, Bob McDonnell, and the GOP picked up the state's House of Delegates and three U.S. House seats. Some of the traditionally Democratic districts in the state especially turned out for McDonnell in 2009.
A major Senate race is also underway in Virginia between two former governors–Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican George Allen. Despite the two candidates actively campaigning for months, recent polls show the race in a dead heat.
Romney has been courting votes and money in Virginia this week, making campaign stops with McDonnell and touting an endorsement from Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann in Portsmouth on Thursday.
"Now politics is underway, it's underway again. You're going to hear it all right here in Virginia," Romney said at the Portsmouth event. "This may well be the state who decides who the next president is."
Meanwhile, Obama will officially kick off his re-election campaign with rallies in Virginia and Ohio on Saturday, with the Virginia event scheduled to be at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
The Washington Post interviewed 1,101 adults in Virginia by telephone, including 964 registered voters, between April 28 and May 2. The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
- CNN's Gabriella Schwarz contributed to this report.
Also see:
There's too many smart independents in Virginia – unlike the hard-core red states. Romney needs places where racism and hatred are strong enough to blind people to reality.
Obama's ahead of Romney everywhere! Just wait until Nov and you'll see. People don't like rich folks trying to down talk them. Romney is a sour apple and will not win the presidency.
Yesterday in Virginia they set the stage as they care about Women but people standing behind of Romney send different message to us
The people of VA know a con man when they see one and "con" is written ALL over Willard.
Have a great weekend everyone.
No surprise there. This poll accurately reflects the stunning shift in the political landscape in Virginia as revealed by Mr. Obama's final tally 53% to Mr. McCain's 46% in Virginia in 2008. I fully expect Mr. Obama to carry this state again. I'd even be willing to bet $10,000 on that.
"In another poll of likely Democrats........................".
it will be a grand day when Texas turn blue again....the real texans will have had a voice again...and the mega money machine that is destroying Texas will know that their $$$$, smoke and mirrors are worthless.
Good... The American people should remember what the Republican party has been trying to get everyone to forget for the past 3 years... that the last time we let a Republican run this country he messed up big time... Left us in a bad situation and if you really believe that it was better with how Bush left things... than i don't know what to tell you except maybe you need your head examined... The Republican Party has some growing up to do before they ever deserve another shot at the Whitehouse... and don't forget that.
This means that are more smart Virginians than Republicans.
What's so big about this? Who was she going to endorse, Ron Paul??
Deputy Doublethink: Born with a silver foot in his mouth.
Mitt Romney, Would you please answer, for a Floridian Christian voter,
the following questions, each of which has three possible answers of
"Yes" or "No" or PCSR (Politically Correct Sidestep Response).
1. Is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy
Spirit one God? (Support your answer with references)
2. Are Florida public school students created in the image
of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?
3. Are the 66 Books of Holy Bible the only Books written
through the inspiration of God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Holy Spirit? (Please cite references) I John 4:1
I like support for presdient roomey mitten
Thanks Virginia!
Virginia is definitely in play this election, but any poll this far ahead of election day is useless.
You want to see a number that matters? See what the unemployment rate for September is in each of the toss-up states, then look at what the trend for unemployment has been in those states for April through October.
I actually have faith that the American people fully understand what will happen if republicans win this fall, our country will be turned upside down and we will be in so much trouble. I don't think Americans are ready to go with the radical agenda of the far right and give up everything we have gained as a society to those who want to take us back several centuries at the least. How women, hispanics, the middle class and the poor, gays, and really all men could vote for that far right agenda is beyond me. I do not want to go back to those bad old days of republican rule.
I wasn't part of the poll. I live in Virginia and will not be voting for Obama.
Ron Paul will win Virginia in November.
Virginia needs to start beinga progressive state. The old Confederacy is dead. The South lost the war, get over it.
Ron Paul will win in November .
Romney is a brainwashed Mormon .
We can not have a President who's mind has been messed up and believes in Mr. n Mrs. God !
Romney can not beat Obama ...period .
Dr. Ron Paul can and will unite the Republican's and take all the Independents votes AND unhappy Democrat's period .
You News Media can play politics's and black out Paul's campaign but we are NOT going away .
Virginia plus the currently safe/leaning Dem states leaves Obama 15 votes from the goal line, and means Romney would be forced to carry OH, FL, and NC (plus a couple more). It's a few months, still, until November, but Romney has a BIG hill to climb. Especially considering Obama is currently leading in about 9 of the 11 toss-up states.
Well, you listen to Mitts early today, it will come down to Virginia. If that's the case, See Ya!
I guess Virginia is no longer a southern state
After Romney looks at this poll, he might want to retrack his statement "This may well be the state who decides who the next president is." and say it in a state he's polling well in cause it don't look like hes going to win Virginia. Lolz OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 🙂
Yeah! Go Obama. Romney is such a liar and flip-flopper. The military is behind Obama.
Why has Romney sent any of his sons in the military. I want to hear more about the Swiss and Cayman Island bank accounts that Romney has. Is he offshoring his money to avoid paying taxes. He already pays a lower rate.
Latinos for Obama 2012