Portman, Warner cite new polling, claim momentum

Key senators from both sides of the aisle cited new polling on Sunday to make the case that the presidential race was breaking their way.

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a key surrogate for Mitt Romney, noted that a new poll showed the race in his key swing state tied. 

Portman, appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” said that showed momentum was on the GOP candidate’s side. A few polls in the last week have shown a tie race between President Obama and Romney in the Buckeye State, though several others also gave Obama a lead.

“The energy and enthusiasm’s on our side this year,” Portman said. “It’s really interesting to watch. Look, we were down probably five to 10 points before the debates. After the debates, we’re about dead even, and it’s moving our way.”

Both campaigns are pushing hard for Ohio’s 18 electoral votes, though Obama’s narrow lead in polling is part of the reason analysts have suggested the president has an easier path to 270 electoral votes.

On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) noted that a new Washington Post poll had given Obama a 51 percent to 47 percent edge in Virginia – “above that magic 50 percent mark,” as Warner put it.

Virginia, which went for Obama in 2008, is seen as a key state for Romney, who also appears to be gaining momentum in Florida. 

Warner also said that Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to make landfall pretty soon, would have an impact on the campaign, but that he remained confident Obama would take Virginia’s 13 electoral votes.

“The storm will throw a little bit of havoc into the race,” Warner said.

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