Poll: Barack Obama leads Mitt Romney by 5 points in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A new Ohio newspaper organization poll shows President Barack Obama with a five-point lead over Republican Mitt Romney in this crucial swing state.

The poll out Sunday gives Obama a 51 percent to 46 percent lead. The Dispatch/Ohio Newspaper Organization poll conducted Sept. 13-18 shows Obama with a similar advantage among likely Ohio voters who think the president would do the best job improving the state's economy.

A combined 63 percent of likely voters said they were either better off or about the same as four years ago.

Obama's edge comes as the presidential candidates, their running mates and spouses continue to blanket the battleground state in political appearances.

The poll among 861 likely Ohio voters has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.