Romney cancels Virginia rallies due to storm

PENSACOLA: Republican Mitt Romney has cancelled his three Sunday campaign stops in the battleground state of Virginia in order to avoid a major storm bearing down on the US Eastern Seaboard.

Romney traveling press secretary Rick Gorka on Saturday described it as a "cautionary move to ensure resources wouldn't be diverted due to the impending hurricane."

Gorka said the Romney campaign "has been in contact with Governor (Bob) McDonnell and his staff."

The Republican nominee, locked in a neck-and-neck race for the White House against President Barack Obama that will be decided on November 6, will instead travel to the key toss-up state of Ohio.

Currently campaigning in the largest battleground of all, Florida, Romney will fly early Sunday to Ohio where he will join running mate Paul Ryan for his three previously scheduled stops in the towns of Celina, Findlay and Marion.(AFP)