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Most commentators scored the debate as a draw or a narrow win for Mr McCain, the Republican nominee.
But the public disagreed and Mr Obama's poll numbers have risen. A USA Today/Gallup tracking poll showed his lead widening to eight percentage points - one point shy of his strongest showing of the year - as he hit the magic mark of 50 percentage points.
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The USA Today/Gallup poll found that 46 per cent of those who saw the debate felt Mr Obama beat Mr McCain, while 34 percent thought the Vietnam veteran won.
Some 30 per cent had a more favourable opinion of Mr Obama after the debate, compared to 14 per cent who said their opinion of him had gone down. There was an even split over opinions of Mr McCain.