UTICA, N.Y. –  A new Washington Times/Zogby Poll of 800 likely voters shows the presidential race back to a dead heat between President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney. The live telephone survey was conducted by Zogby Analytics last Friday through Sunday – the entire sample after both the October 3 debate and the Labor Department’s release of new unemployment figures. 

The poll shows Romney solidifying his base of Republicans (88%-6%), white voters (57%-35%), men (55%-36%), evangelicals (59%-28%), married voters (51%-39%, especially married men 63%-30%) and conservatives (78%-13%). He continues to poll stronger among 18-29 year olds (39% to Obama’s 49%). Romney has turned around a 14-point deficit among independents into a 6 point lead (41%-35%), but 23% remain undecided. Obama on the other hand is very strong among Democrats (85%-9%), Hispanics (73%-19%), women (52%-37%), Catholics (51%-42%), and liberals (84%-12%). While the President leads the former governor 76%-6% among African Americans, 18% are undecided. 

In the key state of Ohio, Obama held just a one point lead by a count of 45%-44% according to another Zogby poll conducted from Oct. 8 through Oct. 10. 

The battleground state, which had been moving steadily toward Obama’s corner, is now up for grabs, said pollster John Zogby. “To think that 10 days ago Ohio was ‘leaning Democrat.’ Romney could pull ahead – there’s enough of a trend.” 

The Washington Post also reported that Romney had a seven-point lead in the key state of Florida on Thursday.