A number of latest presidential polls, including those from Gallup and Rasmussen, this week have shown Republican candidate Mitt Romney with an encouraging lead over President Barack Obama. Following the end of the debate season many had wondered whether Romney would be able to maintain the momentum he had gained throughout that period - although the swing of voters is no longer shifting so drastically his way, but he will be pleased he has been able to maintain his newly found advantage in a number of important swing states, and in nationwide polls.

In the latest Gallup Presidential Poll released on Friday it was shown that Romney had opened up a significant 5 percent lead over Obama among “likely voters”.

The Gallup poll was released Friday at 1 p.m. ET, and gave Romney 51 percent of likely voters compared to Obama's 46 percent. The poll was recored over the period from Oct. 19 to Oct. 25, 2012.

Elsewhere, the Rasmussen Reports presidential tracking poll on Thursday recorded a 3 percent lead to Romney, giving him 50 percent of the vote nationally compared to Obama's 47 percent. The Rasmussen Reports poll was again released on Thursday morning, Oct. 25, 2012.

Rasmussen Reports also released poll results for Virginia, which is one of the most important battleground states for these candidates trying to get in at the White House. It showed Romney with 50 percent against Obama's 48 percent - a 2 percent lead.

In yet another poll the Associated Press/Gfk placed Romney with a 2 percent lead among "likely voters" in its latest national presidential poll.

In that poll Romney was given 47 percent compared to Obama's 45 percent. However, among "registered voters" that same poll had Obama with a 1 percent lead over Romney; with Obama on 45 percent of the vote in comparison to Romney's 44 percent.