NM still election battleground state

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Campaign commercials are already hitting the airwaves with each trying to convince people who to vote for, that message could soon be delivered in person by the candidates.

"During July and August, the Republicans are going to have to try and get this race closer so they can turn it into a true battleground state," says political analyst Joe Monahan. "Then you would see more of Mitt Romney and of course you would also see more of President Obama."

Mr. Romney is scheduled to visit Hobbs August 23.

As it stands right now, most of the polls show that Mr. Obama is in the lead in the race here in New Mexico.
Some polls show it's as close as five percentage points between the two.

"With President Obama holding a steady lead in the polls, it's not certain how hard the republicans will fight at the presidential level for this state's five electoral votes," adds Monahan.

Monahan also says if we don't see the main presidential candidates themselves visit New Mexico, the Vice Presidential candidates may come in their place.

"Every vote still counts because anything can happen," says Monahan. "A big national story can change the direction of the presidential campaign in a dramatic way."

New Mexico has been known as a predominantly Democratic state. President Obama won New Mexico with 57 percent of the vote in 2008.