Poll Watch: CBS News 2012 Presidential Debate Survey

CBS News 2012 Presidential Debate Poll

Which candidate do you think did the best job – or won – tonight's debate? 

• Mitt Romney 46%
• Barack Obama 22%
• Tie 32%

After tonight's debate, has your opinion of Barack Obama: 

• Changed for the better 13% 
• Changed for the worse 17% 
• Not changed 69% 

After tonight's debate, has your opinion of Mitt Romney: 

• Changed for the better 56% 
• Changed for the worse 11% 
• Not changed 32%

Now that the debate is over, do you think Barack Obama…

Cares about the needs and problems of people like you?

• Yes 69% (53%)
• No 31% (43%)

Has strong qualities of leadership?

• Yes 59% (47%)
  
• No 40% (50%)

Has made it clear what he would do if re-elected?

• Yes 65% (35%)
  
• No 34% (61%)

Now that the debate is over, do you think Mitt Romney…

Cares about the needs and problems of people like you?

• Yes 63% (30%)
  
• No 36% (68%)

Has strong qualities of leadership?

• Yes 78% (59%)
• No 21% (39%)

Has made it clear what he would do if re-elected?

• Yes 54% (22%)
  
• No 44% (74%)

Which candidate would do a better job handling each?

The economy

• Mitt Romney 60% (54%)
• Barack Obama 39% (39%)

The budget deficit

• Mitt Romney 68% (66%)
• Barack Obama 31% (26%)

Taxes

• Mitt Romney 52% (40%)
  
• Barack Obama 47% (52%)

Medicare

• Barack Obama 53% (56%)
• Mitt Romney 45% (35%)
  

Energy policy

• Mitt Romney 50%
  
• Barack Obama 49%

If the 2012 presidential election were being held today would you vote for…?

• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 34% (22%)
• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 25% (23%)
• Other 4% (5%)
• Depends/Undecided 35% (50%)  

Survey of 523 uncommitted voters who agreed to watch the debate was conducted October 3, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 4 percentage points. Results from the poll conducted before the debate are in parentheses.