Obama leads Romney in three key states

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As US presidential elections enter the crucial 100 days phase, President Barack Obama has gained a 11-point lead over Mitt Romney, the Republican rival, in three key swing States, according to a latest opinion poll.

According to a Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times poll, Obama leads Romney among likely voters in Ohio and Florida - and has a double-digit lead in Pennsylvania.

Conducted from July 24-30, the polls shows Obama leading his presumptive Republican challenger 53 per cent to 42 per cent in Pennsylvania.

The 11-point lead results largely from independents, who favor the president by 22 points, and women, who favor the president by 24 points, CBS news reported.

In Ohio, Obama holds a six-point lead, 50 per cent to 44 per cent. His lead here is also due in large part to women, who back him by a 21-point margin.

Romney leads by ten points among Ohio men, and seven points among Ohio whites, the news outlet said.

Finally in Florida, Obama also holds a six point lead, 51 per cent to 45 per cent. He holds a small lead among both men and women and a 19-point lead among Hispanics, while Romney leads by double-digits among whites and voters age 65 and above, CBS news said.

"The polls in the three states, all of which Mr. Obama carried in 2008, offer a window into challenges and opportunities for both candidates as August begins and they prepare for their nominating conventions and the general election fight.

"Most paths to victory that the campaigns are pursuing include winning at least two of the states," The New York Times reported.

According to the daily, the polls found that Obama faces substantial hurdles of his own, most of them rooted in the electorate's deeply pessimistic outlook on the economy.

"By double-digit margins, voters in each state say his policies would hurt, rather than help, their personal financial situation if he won re-election, a worrisome sign considering the economy is ranked as voters' chief concern," it said.