For the first time in many weeks now President Barack Obama is staying home on Wednesday. He has some official meetings, but no campaign events. Democrats disappointed by his Denver debate performance would be hoping he is getting some practice. He can't afford another debacle. Mitt Romney is too close.

All hopes rest on Joe Biden. Can he turn the race with his debate against Republican candidate Paul Ryan on Thursday?

Dick Cheney delivered the debate for his boss in 2004, beating comprehensively Democrat John Edwards after George W Bush got a mauling from John Kerry in their first debate.

The Obama campaign needs some good news. With his poll numbers surging, Romney is ready to take the fight into Obama's strongholds, areas he had stayed out of. He is now moving to win Obama supporters.

New poll show Romney closing the gap in battleground states such as Ohio, a must have for any Republican candidate gunning for the White House.

Obama has the backing of 51% of likely voters in a poll conducted for CNN in Ohio, with Romney at 47%, within reach factoring in the statistical margin of error.