Rivals lobby swing states

Latest surveys show Obama and Romney tied nationally, but Obama appears to have consolidated his position in eight swing states.

The new surveys by the Wall Street Journal, NBC News and Reuters/Ipsos show Obama leading Romney by several percentage points in Ohio and slightly ahead or tied in Florida.

The Reuters poll showed Obama polling 46 percent in Ohio, with Romney on 45 percent. They were tied in Florida, with each on 47 percent. In Virginia, Obama had a three percent advantage, but in Colorado he was trailing by two percent.

Tufts University political scientist Richard Eichenberg, who has been tracking gender voter patterns, said Obama had a lead nationally among women of about eight percent.

"He leads among women by large margins in virtually all the swing states," Eichenberg said.

Dash through swing states

On Saturday, Obama dashed through rural towns in Ohio and then on to a large rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he promised children educational opportunity, even for those "languishing in poverty."

He accused Romney's campaign team of "repackaging" old economic ideas that had led to the "economic crisis that we're still cleaning our way out of." He also criticized Romney for opposing a government bailout of the auto industry.

Obama was next due to visit Iowa and Virginia.

Romney spent Saturday in New Hampshire, Iowa and Colorado. At Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Romney accused Obama of "demonizing" political foes. He warned that Obama would find it impossible to work with congressional Republicans if he wins re-election.

Later in Iowa, Romney accused Obama of presiding over four years of failed economic policy that had left the US mired in debt, unemployment and rising fuel prices.

On Sunday, Romney is due to speak in Pennsylvania.

Shortages remain in storm regions

Obama began Saturday by visiting the Washington headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as some residents in New York and adjacent New Jersey vented anger at power outages and fuel shortages.

Electricity relit the Manhattan skyline on Saturday as around one million customers regained power deliveries ahead of a cold snap. But, another 2.5 million homes and businesses still lacked power.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie ordered fuel rationing as queues extended at gas stations while the battered region awaited the arrival of fuel ships.

The overall death toll from last Monday's storm rampage along the US Eastern Seaboard has risen to at least 110. Sandy also killed 69 people in the Caribbean before it swung north.

ipj/ch (Reuters, AFP, dpa)