Poll: Romney closing gap with Obama

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Preference for Mitt Romney among likely voters in Wisconsin, Colorado and Virginia increased after his debate with President Obama, a poll suggests.

Romney emerged with a one-point lead in Colorado and cut in half the president's six-point lead in Wisconsin, a Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times poll reported.

Romney's edge in Colorado still leaves him in a virtual tie with the president, 48 percent to 47 percent, which is within the poll's margin of error. Last month, Obama had the one-point lead.

In Wisconsin, Romney slashed the six-point lead the president held last month. The president still is ahead, 50 percent to 47 percent.

The race remains unchanged in Virginia. Obama leads Romney 51 percent to 46 percent. Last month, the president was ahead 50 percent to Romney's 46 percent.

Those surveyed picked Romney's vice presidential running mate, Paul Ryan, to be the winner in Thursday night's debate with Vice President Joe Biden. In Colorado, 47 percent of likely voters gave the thumbs-up to Ryan, while 30 percent said Biden would win. Wisconsin voters also predicted Ryan as the victor, 49 percent to 32 percent. In Virginia, 41 percent of voters said Ryan, 36 percent said Biden.

The polls were conducted Oct.4-9. The margin of error was not reported.