Paul Ryan is the most liked candidate in this year’s presidential race and his addition to Mitt Romney’s campaign has vaulted the Romney/Ryan ticket into the lead, according to a new poll of 12 swing states.

The August PurpleStrategies of 12 swing states (including Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin) shows Romney/Ryan beating Obama/Biden 47 percent to 46 percent. In July, the very same poll showed Obama beating Romney 47 percent to 45 percent. More importantly, PurpleStrategies polls of Ohio and Virginia both show Romney/Ryan pulling ahead of Obama in these key swing states. Obama was ahead 48/45 in Ohio and 46/44 in Virginia. But now Romney/Ryan is winning in both states by 46/44 and 48/45 margins respectively. Other highlights from the poll include: