GOP eyes Pa. polling gaps with 5 weeks to go

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s top-of-the-ticket Republican candidates are trailing in most independent polls as the party tries to close the gap with less than six weeks to go until the election.

Presidential nominee Mitt Romney attended events in Philadelphia and Valley Forge today, his first appearance in the state since July. The state party released a TV ad attacking President Barack Obama. And members are gathering later in suburban Harrisburg to hear from Gov. Tom Corbett and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Muhlenburg College pollster Christopher Borick says it’s the exception when a trailing candidate turns things around in a few weeks.

But Allegheny County Republican Party Chairman Jim Roddey says polls are less important than which party is better at motivating people to vote on Nov. 6.