Leaders offer matchup views in key states

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Political leaders of three states key to the U.S. presidential election weighed in Sunday on how the two major-party candidates are perceived in their states.

Democratic candidate Barack Obama, the senator from Illinois, leads in polls in Florida, Virginia and Colorado, which went for Republican President George Bush in 2004.

"This campaign is about change. It's about bringing the American people in to be a part of what's going on," former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder said on CBS's "Face the Nation. The campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is in disarray because it's "not talking about the issues. ... They are not talking about what to do with the economy, to rebuild our infrastructure, to build roads and bridges and how to put people together rather than to divide them."

U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla., noted "there is a deep well of support for John McCain. John McCain has deep support among the military retirees who settled here in Florida. He has great support in southeast Florida among the pro-Israel community."

Independent voters concerned about the economy will decide the race in Colorado, said Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter.

"They've watched McCain over the last few weeks behave erratically where the economy was concerned and where his response is concerned," Ritter said. "Obama, on the other hand, has shown just this steady, consistent way of responding."