President Obama takes a break from shopping for Christmas gifts at a Best Buy in Alexandria, Virginia to pose for a photograph (White House photo)
Quinnipiac. March 13-18. Virginia RVs. ±3.1%. (Feb results.)
Obama: 50 (47)
Romney: 42 (43)
President Obama has doubled his lead in the past month alone, but it's also worth pointing out that Romney had previously led in Virginia by 2 points in September, 1 point in October, and 2 points in December.
Part of the explanation here is that the Republican primary has had a toll on Mitt Romney's favorability rating.
Mitt Romney Net Favorability:
Oct 2011: +9 (38/29)
Dec 2011: +10 (37/27)
Feb 2012: +4 (43/39)
Mar 2012: -7 (36/43)
But this isn't just about Mitt Romney—President Obama is gaining popularity, a point that can't be made often enough:
President Obama Net Favorability:
Oct 2011: -4 (45/49)
Dec 2011: -2 (45/47)
Feb 2012: +3 (50/47)
Mar 2012: +7 (51/44)
The poll poured some cold water on Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's vice presidential aspirations: with him on the ticket, Romney gained just 1 point.
The survey also showed Democrats were more enthusiastic than Republicans, with a net +19 margin between those saying they were more enthusiastic than normal compared with those saying they were less enthusiastic. The Republican margin was +15. Of note: while just 14 percent of Democrats said they were less enthusiastic than normal, 26 percent of Republicans said they were less enthusiastic than normal.