Obama pulls out of Ohio election rally due to storm

US President Barack Obama has pulled out of an election campaign rally on Monday in the all-important state of Ohio because of the imminent arrival of Hurricane Sandy, the White House said.

US President Barack Obama has pulled out of an election campaign rally on Monday in the all-important state of Ohio because of the imminent arrival of Hurricane Sandy, the White House said.

After an earlier appearance in Florida, Obama had been due to court crucial voters in the must-win state of Ohio at a major campaign event alongside former president Bill Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden.

"Tomorrow, the president will return to the White House following his event in Orlando, Florida to monitor Hurricane Sandy, which is currently forecast to make landfall along the Eastern Seaboard later tomorrow," the White House said.

"The event in Youngstown, Ohio will move forward with president Clinton and include vice president Biden," the statement added.

Ohio is one of the most important states in the November 6 election and could end up deciding the neck-and-neck race between Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney.