OpinionMitt Romney has the momentum campaigns crave
Magical sense of momentum that can lift candidates above the fray seems to surround Romney as candidates wade their way to finish line
Political operatives call it the Big Mo - the magical sense of momentum that can carry a US presidential hopeful through the intense closing days of a campaign and into the White House.
At times it can seem intangible, and at other moments it is reflected in the polls, but veteran watchers know it when they see it. And right now, Republican Mitt Romney has it.
Not only is the Mormon former governor of Massachusetts leading President Barack Obama in several national polls, but by last night he was for the first time drawing level with the Democrat in the vital swing state of Ohio, according to some surveys.
Hurricane Sandy's landfall in the northeast, meanwhile, could potentially further play into Romney's surge, hurting Obama's drive to encourage voters to vote early and forcing him off the campaign trail to return to the White House.
No Republican has won office without Ohio; and the last Democrat to do it without Ohio was John F. Kennedy, in 1960. It is one of the four out of 11 or so battleground states that Romney needs to win to secure victory.
At the weekend, Romney was yelling himself hoarse as he criss-crossed the state, looking considerably more relaxed, energetic and fluid on the stump than he has in months. He told the crowds "go out and vote… I need your help, and so does America".