VIENNA, Va. (October 22, 2012)--President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney are engaged in an all-out effort to court women in the campaign's closing weeks, knowing that women could help determine the winner in a series of key states.

Women have emerged as the pivotal voting bloc in the aftermath of the second presidential debate, in which Mr. Obama and Romney sparred over contraceptives and pay inequality.

Romney spoke about reviewing "binders full of women" as governor when he sought to diversify his Massachusetts administration.

Some national polls suggest Mr. Obama's longstanding edge with female voters is narrowing, prompting both sides to heavily pursue women voters.