Even Beloved Bob McDonnell Can't Save Romney in Virginia
Lauren Fox

In the swing state of Virginia, even the state's own Gov. Bob McDonnell can't help Mitt Romney win in November.

A Quinnipiac University Poll released Tuesday shows that 50 percent of voters in Virginia would still cast ballots for President Barack Obama, while only 43 percent would vote for Romney.

McDonnell, whose approval rating is among the nation's highest at 55 percent, seems unable to close the gap between Obama and Romney.

"President Barack Obama has opened up some daylight in Virginia against his Republican challengers," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "His margin over Romney, in the state where Obama has been struggling after his win in 2008, compares to a slight 47-43 percent lead in February."

A GOP race centered upon women's health issues appears to be hurting Romney's chances in Virginia.

Obama's support among women is a major reason the president is edging out the former Massachusetts governor in the polls.

Among men, Obama beats Romney by 48 to 45 percent, but 52 percent of women surveyed said they would vote for Obama compared to just 39 percent who said they would vote for Romney.

Even with McDonnell on the ticket, 51 percent of women would still vote for the Democrat.

"There has been speculation about Gov. Bob McDonnell being a possible choice for vice president by the eventual GOP nominee," Brown said. "What this Quinnipiac University survey finds is that despite the governor's approval ratings with Virginia voters, he does not appear to help give the GOP the state's electoral votes."