The Great Debate: Mitt Romney won the first presidential debate, 67 Percent of Voters Tell CNN - Romney delivered a unexpected strong performance, while Obama was described as "lacklustre"

There was a lot riding on last night’s first presidential debate in Denver, Colo., with Obama only having a 3 percent lead over Romney. (In a national NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released on Wednesday, Obama’s lead was 49 percent to Romneys 46 percent. The survey two weeks earlier show Obama at 50 percent to 45 percent)

And, after last night’s performance, it wouldn’t be surprising if Romney inches even closer to Obama in the polls.

The Republican was undoubtably the winner of the  first presidential debate, according to a CNN/ORC International poll of registered voters who watched the nationally televised event.

Sixty-seven percent of those surveyed said Romney fared better, compared with 25 percent for Obama, according to results aired on CNN after the debate concluded. Forty-six percent said they found Romney more likeable, compared with 45 percent for Obama, CNN reported

Many political commentators also felt that Romney was the clear winner.

Obama, like other presidents before him, “fell victim … to high expectations, a short fuse, and a hungry challenger,” writes the National Journal’s Ron Fournier. “Romney smiled and cracked jokes … Obama smirked.” Time’s Mark Halperin’s gave his verdict, saying ”Romney got an A-, while Obama received a B-.”