Obama opens 3-point lead in Florida

President Obama has opened a three point lead in the crucial swing state of Florida, further evidence that the president may have halted or even reversed some of the momentum swinging in Mitt Romney's favor after his consensus win in the first presidential debate.

The survey, by Newsmax and Zogby, gave the president a 47-44 percent lead in the Sunshine State. The poll is a reversal from recent trends in the race that have showed Romney with a lead in the state; polls released earlier this week by Gravis Marketing and Public Policy Polling gave the Republican nominee a one point lead in the state.

Still, there were danger signs for the president in the the data. While 43 percent of voters said the president "deserves to be reelected," 45 percent say it is "time for someone new." Men were more likely to say it was time for a change, while more women say the president deserves reelection.

Romney also led with NASCAR fans and military families; the president had the advantage with union households. The president's approval ratings in the state were evenly split, with 48 percent both approving and disapproving.

Florida's 29 electoral votes are likely a must-win for Romney; losing the state would require the Republican nominee to nearly sweep the remaining toss-up states. Obama won Florida 51 to 48 percent in 2008, but President George W. Bush took the state 52 to 47 percent over Sen. John Kerry in 2004.

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