Debate watchers were divided on who won the second presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, according to a new nationwide poll released late Tuesday night.

The CNN/ORC International survey indicates 46% of debate watches say Obama won the debate, while 39% say Romney fared better. The seven-point margin falls within the poll’s sampling error.

Meanwhile, 73% said Obama did better than expected, compared to 37% who said the same about Romney.

The results offer a stark contrast from the first presidential showdown on October 3, when 67% of debate watchers said Romney fared better while 25% said Obama won the debate.

Click here for the CNN poll

CNN Poll: Obama edges Romney in debate
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