JUMP FOR MITT – AT 9:54 A.M. ET:  The Rasmussen tracker just out shows a gain for Mitt Romney, doubling his previous lead over Obama: 

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows Mitt Romney attracting support from 50% of voters nationwide, while President Obama earns the vote from 46%. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and two percent (2%) are undecided.

Other than brief convention bounces, this is the first time either candidate has led by more than three points in months.

The polling that produced this result was done before last night's debate.  I don't see any reason for the debate to change anything.

Romney attracts support from 89% of Republican voters. The president earns the vote from 82% of Democrats. Among those not affiliated with either major party, the GOP challenger leads by nine.

COMMENT:  We stress again that polls are snapshots in time.  It will take several more days to see if this new advance for Romney will be retained.  Gallup, which had Romney up six yesterday, publishes its daily figures at 1 p.m. ET. 

The result is encouraging.   But it's the state polls we'll be looking at, for we vote by state on election day.

October 23, 2012