Suddenly, Pennsylvania matters again.

The proof: Both presidential campaigns are paying much closer attention to Keystone State voters these days, particularly those in Lancaster County.

The wife of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney campaigned in Elizabethtown Monday afternoon, rallying about 900 supporters as statewide polls show the race with President Barack Obama tightening.

"This is an important state for us," Ann Romney said during a 16-minute appearance at Elizabethtown College's Leffler Chapel and Performance Center. "We care about Pennsylvania, and we care about Pennsylvanians.

OUR VIDEO COVERAGE OF ANN ROMNEY'S CAMPAIGN VISIT

"And we care about those who are looking for work, that are hungry for a new direction in this country. We are going to have the greatest celebration come January 20th."

Ann Romney's appearance in Lancaster County was the second by a prominent surrogate for the two campaigns in less than a week. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, spoke to dozens of supporters in the city last week.

The campaign stops by both women are seen as evidence that Obama is worried about losing his lock on the state with three weeks until the Nov. 6 election.

An Allentown Morning Call/Muhlenberg College survey released Monday morning found Obama's lead over Mitt Romney is down to 4 points, 49 percent to 45 percent, when factoring in likely voters leaning toward one candidate.

"We are dead-even right now in Pennsylvania," said Rob Gleason, chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party.

RealClearPolitics, which tracks public-opinion polls, moved Pennsylvania from "leans Obama" to "toss up" last week, suggesting the race for the Keystone State's 20 electoral votes is up for grabs.

The president won the state by more than 10 points in 2008 and held near-double-digit leads over the summer. A Romney victory in Pennsylvania would be the first for a Republican nominee since 1988, when George H.W. Bush was victorious over Michael Dukakis.

The shift in the fall campaign came after Obama's poor performance and Romney's success in the first of three presidential debates two weeks ago.

"I loved the fact that I think 79 million Americans got a chance to see my husband unfiltered. No negative ads, no media interpretation," Romney said.

"It was just Mitt," she said. "And guess what? They heard with their ears and they saw with their eyes and what did they see? A man ready and prepared to lead this country."

Her appearance here was part of a "Women for Mitt" rally. Romney called on women voters hit especially hard by the recession to rally behind her husband, saying they would have a better future.

"My message is for women: Do you want a brighter economic future? If you do, vote for Mitt," she said.

The mother of five boys struck familiar conservative campaign themes here, saying it is unfair to pass on $16 trillion in national debt to the next generations.

She said the United States needs to be a beacon of hope to them as it was to her and her grandfather, an illiterate coal miner who started working at age 6.

"My grandfather came to this country in 1929 — not a good time — with nothing in his pocket but hope and a dream," she said. "And look where his granddaughter is standing today, possibly the next first lady of the United States."

For Ruthmary Pearce of Annville, the best moment Monday came at the end, when Romney walked into the crowd to shake hands — and signed Pearce's sailor hat.

Pearce's son, Landin Comins, is a 15-year Navy veteran. Currently in San Diego and about to be redeployed, Comins — like his mother — is a diehard GOP supporter.

Pearce has been wearing that jaunty hat at rallies and getting it signed for years, starting with Sarah Palin during her run with John McCain in 2008. Mitt Romney himself signed it in June, when he campaigned in Lebanon County.

"Oh, I'm so thrilled," said Pearce, wearing a Navy shirt and jacket.

Romney, Pearce said, "is wonderful. She's everything I thought she'd be."

Numerous people who attended the rally said they thought Romney energized the crowd.

"I thought she was great," Jim Goodling of Elizabethtown said. "Just terrific," added his wife, Bonnie.

"Fantastic," said Brad O'Neal of Lancaster. "She's inspirational."

"I think she's marvelous," said Mil Mealey, a Delaware native living in Florida.

Mealey was excited that her visit with family in Elizabethtown coincided with the rally.

"I've been watching everything that's been going on, and I'm convinced Romney's the man," she said. "They're both dyed-in-the-wool Americans … and she'll be a wonderful first lady."

Jim Hecker of New Holland said Romney was "upbeat, and obviously very supportive of her husband."

Ann Underkoffler, who came from Chambersburg for the rally, said Romney was "awesome."

"I enjoyed seeing her, I enjoyed hearing her," Underkoffler said. "She's a very beautiful, graceful and articulate woman. She has a lot of class."

"I thought she did a really good job," said Darren Kimble of Dillsburg. "She ignited the crowd and got people excited for Mitt."

"She's genuine," said Judy Gargiulo of Mechanicsburg, wearing a "Hot Chicks Vote Republican" button. "She's beautiful, but down to earth.

"She believes in her husband all the way."

Peg Ferraro, who chairs the Women for Mitt campaign for the Lehigh Valley, said Romney "is the epitome of what you imagine a first lady to be.

"She has a warm personality that can connect with people," Ferraro said. "People can relate to her."

Romney said she has encountered similar reactions across the country.

"There is so much passion and energy right now that it's infectious, and it makes you excited and it makes you get to the point where you say, 'I can't wait until the three weeks are up and Mitt is the next president of the United States,'" she said.

tmurse@lnpnews.com

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