Obama loses edge over Romney in Wisconsin

• Tweet

MADISON, Wis., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are virtually tied in the swing state of Wisconsin, a Marquette University Law School presidential poll indicated Wednesday.

The Chicago Tribune reported the Democratic incumbent was favored by 49 percent while the Republican challenger is the pick of 48 percent.

A recently as two weeks ago, the Marquette poll had Obama leading 53 percent to 42 percent.

The poll of 870 likely voters was conducted Oct. 11-14, before the second presidential debate, and has a 3.4-percentage point margin of error.

Romney made inroads with independents since the first debate between the two presidential contenders. He has gone from a 9-point deficit among independents to a 4-point advantage, the Tribune said.

Obama also has lost traction among Wisconsin women, with his advantage slipping from 61-37 to 51-47.

The Marquette poll also found the race for U.S. Senate is also a tossup, with former Gov. Tommy Thompson garnering the support of 46 percent of likely voters and Rep. Tammy Baldwin at 45 percent.