Swing-state polls: Obama and Romney tied in Michigan, Iowa

President Obama and Mitt Romney are neck-and-neck in Michigan and Iowa, two critical swing states that have swung reliably Democratic in recent elections.

According to a We Ask America poll released on Wednesday, Romney edges Obama in Michigan, 45 percent to 43. That’s within the poll’s 3 percent margin of error, and it’s the third straight poll to show the two candidates in a dead heat in the Wolverine State.

Obama once had a commanding lead over Romney in Michigan, up by double digits as recently as mid-May, according to the Real Clear Politics average of polls.

 Romney’s father, George Romney, was once governor of Michigan, and Romney spent his childhood there. Still, many didn’t believe the former Massachusetts governor would devote significant resources to a state that until recently looked to be out of reach.

Romney has recently signaled that he’ll be going all out to win his home state.

"If I win in Michigan, then I become the president,” Romney said at a campaign stop in Frankenmuth on Tuesday. “And that would mean a lot to me personally." 

Michigan has swung reliably Democratic in recent years.

Obama won the state by 16 points in 2008, while Romney barely won its Republican primary earlier this year. Romney edged competitor Rick Santorum by 3 percent in the primary, but effectively split the delegate count with him. And at the time, many called it a blown opportunity for the former Pennsylvania senator, who got wrapped up in controversial social issues just prior to the primary.



In Iowa, Obama holds a small lead over Romney, 45 to 44, according to We Ask America, which is also within the 3 percent margin of error.

Obama defeated Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the Hawkeye State by 10 percent in the 2008 election. With the exception of 2004, Iowa has gone to the Democratic candidate in every election since 1988.

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