Obama ‘Within Reach’ Of Second Term While Romney’s Path To Victory ‘Narrowing,’ AP Says

While President Barack Obama is “within reach” of the 270 electoral votes needed to secure his reelection, Mitt Romney‘s “path to victory is narrowing,” the Associated Press reported Sunday morning.

The Republican challenger needs to “quickly gain the upper hand in nearly all of the nine states where he and Obama are competing the hardest” in order to overtake the president.

After citing recent polls, the report goes on to lay out the oft-discussed “were the election held today” scenario:

If the election were held today, an Associated Press analysis shows Obama would win at least 271 electoral votes, with likely victories in crucial Ohio and Iowa along with 19 other states and the District of Columbia. Romney would win 23 states for a total of 206.

To oust the Democratic incumbent, Romney would need to take up-for-grabs Florida, Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Virginia, which would put him at 267 votes, and upend Obama in either Ohio or Iowa.

However, the report makes sure to note the analysis is not meant to be “predictive,” but rather, provide a snapshot of the current state of the presidential race. Where we stand right now. That snapshot is based on ” review of public and private polls, television advertising and numerous interviews with campaign and party officials as well as Republican and Democratic strategists.”

While the AP also includes that Romney does pose a “formidable” challenge, it goes on to note that there are still many hurdles for him. Their analysis takes a closer look at how campaigning in playing out in crucial states such as Ohio and Iowa.

All things considered, the AP concludes, Romney has “extraordinarily tight path and few options.” And time is running out.

(H/T AP via WaPo)