CNN poll: Most viewers say Romney debate winner

WASHINGTON – Two-thirds of people who watched the first presidential debate think that Republican nominee Mitt Romney won the showdown against President Barack Obama, according to a nationwide CNN poll conducted Wednesday night.

According to the CNN survey, which was conducted right after the debate, 67% of debate watchers who were questioned, said that the Republican nominee won the faceoff, with 25% saying that Obama came out victorious.  

The CNN poll surveyed 430 adult Americans who watched the debate. All interviews were conducted after the end of the debate. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

Political commentators and analysts all hailed Romney's performance at the Debate. The Washington Post titled the debate "Romney goes on offense, forcing Obama to defend his record." The Los Angeles Times said that "Romney was sharp and steady in first presidential debate."  

The LA paper further wrote that "in the first debate, neither Romney nor Obama appeared to land a knockout blow or commit the sort of serious blunder that would instantly change the presidential race…however, Romney offered sharper answers than Obama and seized control of the debate at several points."

ABC News also favored the Republican candidate, saying that "Romney came out swinging in the first debate, challenging Obama over his health care reforms, treatment of the economy and taxation policies."

Romney who started the debate at a disadvantage came out victorious, and managed to embarrass Obama. "Gasoline prices have doubled under the president, along with food and health insurance costs that have increased by $2,500 per family."

"Going forward with the status quo is not going to cut it for the American people who are struggling today," Romney said.

A CBS Network poll conducted both prior to and following the debate asked respondents whether or not they felt that the candidate cared about their needs and problems. On the eve of the debate, the results favored President Obama 53 to 30.

However, following the debate, the gap between the two candidates dramatically decreased leaving Obama in the lead just by 6 points. The news network titled the GOP's victory, saying that "Romney landed blows against a cautious Obama."

The other presidential debates will occur on October 16 in New York and October 22 in Florida.