Presidential Polls 2012: Post-Debate Numbers Show Romney Still Ahead Of Obama
In national polling firm Rasmussen's first data based entirely on interviews conducted after the second presidential debate, Mitt Romney still leads President Barack Obama in the race for the White House.
The most recent poll numbers form Rasmussen show that Romney has support from 49 percent of the likely voters polled, while Obama has support from 48 percent. Of the remaining respondents, 1 percent favors a different candidate and 3 percent are still undecided.
Because of the Rasmussen firm's polling methodology, which is based on nightly interviews but reported on a three-day rolling average, Saturday's numbers are the first that include only interviews that occurred after the second presidential debate.
Many pundits anticipated Obama would see a spike in his numbers after what many considered a resounding defeat of his Republican challenged in the town hall debate, but the Rasmussen numbers do not reflect that outcome as of yet.
A look at other polls reveals the complexities and uncertainties of election polling. In an average of the results of all nationwide polls conducted by various firms, poll tracking website Real Clear Politics' average shows the candidates in a dead heat, with each garnering support from 47.1 percent of respondents.
But with individual polls not based on an average of several surveys, the results are wide ranging.
According to Real Clear Politics, Romney is ahead in four national polls, with a IBD/TIPP Tracking poll showing his widest margin over Obama at a full 6 points. But Obama is also ahead in four unrelated polls, with his biggest victory gap standing at 3 points in a Hartford Courant/UConn poll.
The candidates will have one final chance to spar in front of the American people before Election Day during the third and last presidential debate, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 22. Like the two previous debates, the event will kick off at 9 p.m. Eastern time and last 90 minutes.
