AP: As Race Stands, Obama Within Reach Of Second Term

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Five weeks to Election Day, President Barack Obama is within reach of the 270 electoral votes needed to win a second term. Republican Mitt Romneys path to victory is narrowing.

To overtake Obama, Romney would need to quickly gain the upper hand in nearly all of the nine states where he and Obama are competing the hardest.

Polls show the president with a steady lead in many of them as Romney looks to shift the dynamics of the race, starting with their first debate Wednesday in Denver.

Wed rather be us than them, says Jennifer Psaki, an Obama spokeswoman.

But Romneys running mate Paul Ryan says theres time for the GOP ticket to win. In these kinds of races people focus near the end, and thats whats happening now, he told Fox News Sunday.

If the election were held... [via Pat Dollard]