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October 3, 2012: First Presidential Debate

This debate was streamed live. You can watch CNN anytime you want on CNN.com and the CNN Apps for iPhone® and iPad®.

Did the debate change race?

By Halimah Abdullah, CNN updated 11:26 AM EDT, Fri October 5, 2012

Mitt Romney's solid debate performance Wednesday night gives him the type of energy and momentum that President Barack Obama now will have to work overtime to undo.

"The thing that this debate did is it gave people reasons to think about (a) President Romney," said John Geer, chairman of Vanderbilt University's political science department. "This often happens with challengers in the first debate. Now Obama needs to reconnect with the American public and (make the case of) why he should be re-elected."

According to a CNN/ORC International survey conducted immediately after the debate, 67% of registered voters who watched the debate said that the Republican nominee won, with one in four saying that President Barack Obama was victorious.

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Candidate Side by Side

Barack Obama
44th President of the United States
Barack Obama
Campaign Finance
Total Raised, year to date:
$715,677,692.00
Total Spent:
$683,546,548.00
Cash on Hand:
$5,397,399.00
Debt:
$7,223,153.00
0
$100m
$250m
$500m

As of November 2012

Ad Spending
$325.1 Million
As of November 06, 2012
Top 5 States:
  • 1. Florida, $67.8 Million
  • 2. Ohio, $55.3 Million
  • 3. District of Columbia, $27.6 Million
  • 4. Colorado, $25.9 Million
  • 5. Nevada, $21.8 Million

Twitter@BarackObama
The time is now for comprehensive #ImmigrationReform. Keep up the momentum: http://t.co/RIK2RMHAbT
Posted at 5:57 pm ET on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
Suits and ties. h/t @jtimberlake http://t.co/CtmkSbQTBu
Posted at 4:20 pm ET on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
"No president can do it alone." Read President Obama's note to @OFA supporters, then say you're in: http://t.co/XhqmTErz9a
Posted at 2:45 pm ET on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
The #sequester is slowing the pace of medical research, delaying the discovery of cures and treatments. Read more: http://t.co/LnAo8PDtSI
Posted at 1:07 pm ET on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
Add your voice to the fight for comprehensive #ImmigrationReform today: http://t.co/l0Dod7pmMC
Posted at 10:13 am ET on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
"Our nation needs comprehensive immigration reform." —@SenDeanHeller, Republican from Nevada. Read his full op-ed: http://t.co/4a3RKrfmHJ
Posted at 7:13 pm ET on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013
Members of Congress from 40 states refuse to accept the science on #climate change. Call them out here: http://t.co/KPtlq2flAE
Posted at 5:37 pm ET on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013
#ImmigrationReform will be good for families and good for the economy. Let's get it done. http://t.co/p5N9qSQ0Ql
Posted at 4:24 pm ET on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013
Retweet this: "The Jersey Shore is back and open for business." —President Obama #STTS
Posted at 2:36 pm ET on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013
Retweet this: Let's honor our fallen troops this #MemorialDay. http://t.co/Bra4jtvJ8h
Posted at 7:10 pm ET on Monday, May 27th, 2013
"Oklahomans have inspired us with their love and their courage and their fellowship." —President Obama in #Moore today
Posted at 10:26 pm ET on Sunday, May 26th, 2013
"When we say that we've got your back, I promise you, we keep our word." — President Obama in #Moore, OK today
Posted at 5:52 pm ET on Sunday, May 26th, 2013
Ready for summer? http://t.co/0Qi9jAXo6B
Posted at 1:01 pm ET on Saturday, May 25th, 2013
"They are heroes, each and every one." —President Obama pays tribute to our men and women in uniform in his weekly address. #MemorialDay
Posted at 11:22 am ET on Saturday, May 25th, 2013
This weekend, show our men and women in uniform some appreciation. #MemorialDay http://t.co/qRRP8l7qdA
Posted at 12:03 pm ET on Friday, May 24th, 2013
Hold your representatives in Congress accountable. Call out #climate change deniers in the House and Senate today: http://t.co/MtraxuxB5F
Posted at 10:21 am ET on Friday, May 24th, 2013
Tell your senators: The time for comprehensive #ImmigrationReform that fuels innovation is now. http://t.co/FYydM6yaCF #iMarch
Posted at 6:13 pm ET on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
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Obama Online
Mitt Romney
Former Governor of Massachusetts
Mitt Romney
Campaign Finance
Total Raised, year to date:
$446,135,997.00
Total Spent:
$433,281,516.00
Cash on Hand:
$12,921,629.00
Debt:
$1,200,000.00
0
$100m
$250m
$500m

As of November 2012

Ad Spending
$141.8 Million
As of November 06, 2012
Top 5 States:
  • 1. Florida, $33.7 Million
  • 2. Ohio, $25.9 Million
  • 3. District of Columbia, $14.3 Million
  • 4. Colorado, $13.5 Million
  • 5. North Carolina, $12.3 Million

Twitter@MittRomney
As we gather w/ friends & family on #MemorialDay, we remember those brave men & women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great country.
Posted at 3:54 pm ET on Monday, May 27th, 2013
Praying for those affected by today's tornadoes. Please consider contributing to the @redcross http://t.co/9foe6RmjTK #PrayForOklahoma
Posted at 7:13 pm ET on Monday, May 20th, 2013
.@anndromney and I had a great time on the #TonightShow. Thanks @jayleno for the lift home! http://t.co/GK5YWleV2J
Posted at 8:43 pm ET on Friday, May 17th, 2013
Happy Mother's Day to @AnnDRomney, whose profession is the most important, demanding and rewarding I know. http://t.co/0fMMhFuo6E
Posted at 9:27 am ET on Sunday, May 12th, 2013
Enjoyed speaking to the @SVUedu class of 2013. Wish them luck as they jump into the deep waters of life. http://t.co/UJD3wKEiFg
Posted at 11:31 am ET on Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Our hearts are heavy with the news out of Boston today. #PrayforBoston
Posted at 4:36 pm ET on Monday, April 15th, 2013
Congrats to President Bush and @laurawbush on the arrival of their first grandchild. A good start!
Posted at 9:39 am ET on Monday, April 15th, 2013
History will enshrine Margaret Thatcher as a transformational leader http://t.co/XHTVHRQnqE
Posted at 1:45 pm ET on Monday, April 8th, 2013
Great season #hottytoddy RT @DGJackson Tough loss tonight. Still proud of my Ole Miss Rebels.
Posted at 11:10 pm ET on Sunday, March 24th, 2013
Celebrating 44 years with my sweetheart today. Happy anniversary, @AnnDRomney http://t.co/ZerdlIRrDH
Posted at 3:42 pm ET on Thursday, March 21st, 2013
Our nation is still full of aspirations and hungry for new solutions. We’re a nation of invention and of optimism http://t.co/l9wsXm8Iwp
Posted at 1:49 pm ET on Friday, March 15th, 2013
RT @AnnDRomney Lucky me, with Craig and Mary's new twins born today, I become grandmother to 20! http://t.co/ue8ELptm
Posted at 7:22 pm ET on Thursday, February 14th, 2013
From the bottom of our hearts, Ann and I thank you for your support, prayers, efforts, & vote. We are forever grateful to every one of you.
Posted at 2:37 pm ET on Saturday, November 10th, 2012
With your help, we will turn our country around and get America back on the path to prosperity. Please vote today http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 5:55 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
It’s time to turn the page on the last four years. Get your friends and family and go vote: http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 4:53 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
We can’t afford four more years like the last. Vote today to ensure that the future will be better than the past http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 3:52 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
I am asking for your vote because I want to keep America the hope of the earth. Find out where to vote: http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 2:57 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
Together we can bring real change to this country. Help get out the vote: http://t.co/hXWMP4Mt
Posted at 1:47 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
.@PaulRyanVP and I are offering real reforms for a real recovery. Help us deliver it – get out and vote today http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 12:38 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
This is it. Make sure you vote today. Find your polling location: http://t.co/uYh0QcDS http://t.co/azS2chbB
Posted at 11:11 am ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
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Romney Online