Obama-Romney Debate: Poll Shows Mitt Romney Gaining Ground After Strong Performance

Reuters | Posted: 10/04/2012 4:55 pm EDT Updated: 10/05/2012 12:59 am EDT

• Romney viewed positively for first time in campaign
• Republican nominee makes gains on economic issues
• He shores up support among Republican voters
• Obama leads Romney 48 percent to 43 percent in poll (Adds details, background)

By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney gained ground on Democratic President Barack Obama after a strong performance in their first debate heading into the Nov. 6 election, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll taken after their prime-time face-off.

Romney is now viewed positively by 51 percent of voters, the first time he has enjoyed a net positive in the U.S. presidential race, the poll found. Obama's favorability rating remained unchanged at 56 percent, according to the poll.

Romney moved ahead of the president on several core issues after Wednesday's debate, which was widely seen as a victory for the Republican candidate.

(More here.)