President Obama continued his winning streak in head-to-head matches with Republican challenger Mitt Romney, redeeming himself in the eyes of many viewers for his poor performance in Denver three weeks ago.
In an instant post-debate CNN/ORC poll, 48 percent of registered voters said Obama won last night's third and final presidential debate in Boca Raton, Fla., compared to 40 percent who said Romney won.
After the first debate, the same CNN poll gave Romney a 67-25 win, and Obama took the lead 46-39 after the second debate.
A CBS News poll of only undecided voters found 53 percent said Obama won, 23 percent said Romney won, and 24 percent called the debate a tie.
A Public Policy Polling survey of swing state voters said Obama won, 53 percent to 42 percent.
And a Google Consumer Surveys online poll put Obama 10 points above Romney, 45 percent to 35 percent.
While the debate ostensibly focused on foreign policy, the candidates took every opportunity to relate their answers to their domestic policy plans--which are more important to voters this year--and the economy, as well as throws jabs and barbs.
While Romney continually claimed Obama cut military spending and is allowing Iran to develop nuclear capabilities, the president lambasted Romney's clumsy attempts at diplomacy and reminded viewers that Osama bin Laden was dead.
Romney's demeanor and tactics were mostly unchanged from his two previous debate performances. Both candidates were more subdued than in their second meeting, but Romney kept up his irreverent tone, interrupting Obama and moderator Bob Schieffer to get his points in.
Obama stuck to his tactics from the second debate, too. He was more animated and on the offensive than in the first debate, responding to Romney's attacks with sharp retorts of his own.
The candidates were seated at a table this time, like the vice-presidential candidates in their only debate. While Schieffer cut off lengthy responses several times, he was less involved than Candy Crowley was during the second debate. His questions, however, were much longer and more specific than Jim Lehrer's in the first debate.
We'll know whether the national polls move much over this debate in the next few days.
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