Debate aided Romney still tied with Obama

NEW YORK, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Mitt Romney has made gains in key swing states, but is still in a virtual tie with President Obama in two states a month before the election, a poll indicates.

His debate performance against the president may have been a factor in his improving poll numbers in Ohio, Virginia and Florida, the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll found.

In those states, most likely voters said they had made up their minds before the debate. Between 5 percent and 7 percent said they decided after the debate, and they favored Romney.

In Virginia, Romney saw his largest gains from the previous week's survey, increasing his favorability rating by three points to top the president by 1 percentage point, 48 to 47.

Romney also increased his numbers in Florida, but the gap with Obama was unchanged. This week, Romney was one point behind the president, 47 percent to 48 percent. Last week, he lagged 46 percent to 47 percent.

Romney gained two points in Ohio, but Obama still leads 51 percent to 45 percent.

Women still overwhelmingly favor the president, by 13 points in Florida and 12 points in Ohio and Virginia.

The poll's margin of error with likely voters was 3.1 percent. It was conducted Oct. 7-9.