CNN: Obama opens up lead with independents in Ohio

A new CNN poll shows Barack Obama leading Mitt Romney, 50%-46%, but the most important finding is that he's up among independents, 49%-44%.

Both parties expect more, raw Democratic turnout than Republican turnout in Ohio, so Romney's going to need a solid win with indies to take the state.

So it's a huge deal if Obama is up with the group Romney desperately needs.

Now the caveat is that Romney has held a persistently solid and sometimes very large lead among independents in Ohio this year -- even before his October surge. So I wouldn't go so far as to say, unequivocally, that Obama leads with independents in the state. Averages matter.

Nevertheless, this is a strong poll for the president any way you look at it.