Presidential Polls 2012: Romney Leads, But Obama Expects Boost From Debate
Only hours after the second presidential debate, not much has changed in nationwide election polling.
But once pollsters have the chance to survey voters who saw the debate Tuesday night, pundits expect President Barack Obama may regain his lead over Mitt Romney.
A nationwide poll by Rasmussen shows Romney with the support of 49 percent of voters across the country, while Obama trails by one point with 48 percent. Of those surveyed, 1 percent said they prefer a different candidate and 2 percent were undecided.
Obama's 48 percent in the Rasmussen poll is one point higher than the 47 percent he had on Tuesday, but Rasmussen's summary of the data clarifies that the current poll was completed before the second debate and therefore no information from that event has yet affected the poll numbers.
But once voters who saw the debate are able to voice their opinion in a poll, things may change.
Many critics and talking heads praised the president's performance during the second debate, which took on a town hall style format. Obama faced criticism for his lethargic, listless, low-energy performance during the first debate Oct. 3, but he seemed to make up for that Tuesday by being boisterous and charismatic.
Obama largely made up for his "desultory and politically disastrous performance" during the first debate, according to analysis from NPR on the It's All Politics blog.
"[Obama] came prepared for this fight, ready to defend his record and to put the knock on Romney at every opportunity," the blog said. "Obama remained focused, leaning forward eagerly in his chair while waiting for his turn to speak, and giving no quarter when it was his time to stand up and deliver."
Though Romney leads in Rasmussen's poll of voters, Obama has the advantage in the polling firm's projection of how electoral votes will shake out on election night Nov. 6.
A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to clinch the presidency. According to Rasmussen's analysis, Obama currently has 237 electoral votes locked down, compared to Romney's 181. But 120 votes are still left to be decided as the campaign comes to a close.
