John McCain began a two-day tour of Pennsylvania with former Governor and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. Multiple sources, including the New York Times, are reporting that Ridge is a potential vice presidential candidate for McCain. The Times is also reporting that Governor Ed Rendell may be a potential vice presidential candidate for the Obama campaign. McCain’s trip to Pennsylvania is attempting to roll-back Barack Obama’s lead in the state.

A Quinnipiac University poll released July 31 showed Sen. Obama with a 49 to 42 percent lead over Sen. McCain. This poll mirrored a Rasmussen Reports poll released July 24 which indicated: “The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in [Pennsylvania] finds Obama out front 47 to 42 [percent]. When ‘leaners’ are included, Obama leads 51 to 45 [percent].” John Kerry won Pennsylvania in 2004 with 50.9 percent of the vote.

Nationally, Barack Obama leads John McCain by six points - 45 to 39 percent, according to a CBS News poll released August 6.

The residents of Pennsylvania will likely be seeing a lot more of the presidential candidates this election year. With 21 electoral votes, Pennsylvania ties Illinois for the fifth most electoral votes for a single state.

Photo Media Credit: Michael Bryant - The Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT