Women have propelled President Obama to a widening lead over Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney in a dozen swing states, according to a poll released Monday. The USA Today/Gallup Poll found Obama now enjoys a nine-point advantage over Romney, 51 percent to 42 percent. A month ago, the same poll showed the former Massachusetts governor with a two-point edge over the president. Much of Obama’s surge could be attributed to a widening gender gap. Women support Obama over Romney, 54 percent to 36 percent, the poll found. Romney’s narrow, 48-47 lead among men is within the poll’s margin of error.