AND A FIRST – AT 9:06 A.M. ET:  For the first time, Romney/Ryan has taken the lead over Obama/Biden in the RealClearPolitics Electoral College map. 

The map now shows 206 solid for RR, 201 for OB.   Some 131 votes are up for grabs.

The toss-ups are:  Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin.

We should point out that this change does not guarantee Romney's election.  Far from it.  If there is a bump down the road, on either side, all or virtually all those toss-up states can go either way.  But the toss-ups include states that the Obamans thought they had nailed down weeks ago. 

The Romney campaign now must build the momentum, and get to 270 votes, with some to spare.  In four days we will be inside the two-week-to-go mark.  More and more Americans are now paying attention.  Fortunately, they seem to be going our way.

October 19, 2012