NEW POLL: Obama leads in key battleground states

A new Quinnipiac University poll shows Obama now holds a substantial lead in three key battleground states:

Florida: Obama 45% Romney 41%

Ohio: Obama 47% Romney 38%

Pennsylvania: Obama 45% Romney 39%

[Margin of error: 2.8%]

No candidate has won the presidency without carrying at least two of these three states since 1960.

Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute provides this analysis:

"The president's overall margin is built on his big lead among women, younger voters and African-Americans. In Florida, on the heels of the president's order that will prevent the deportation of some younger illegal immigrants, he holds a big lead among Hispanic voters.

"The horse race numbers reflect the general view of voters that they like the president better. Obama has a net favorable view among Ohio voters and he is viewed evenly by those in Pennsylvania and Florida, while Romney's favorable/unfavorable ratio is negative in all three states.

"Voters in all three states voice strong support for the president's mini 'Dream Act' immigration order, and they say the president would be better than Romney handling immigration.

"For much of the last year, more voters in these swing states have said Romney would do a better job on the economy. That advantage has largely disappeared, at least for now."

Voters in all three states are mixed on which candidate "would do a better job on the economy," and which candidate "would be better for your personal economic future."