Barack Obama and Mitt Romney held their second debate for the US presidency on Tuesday night and the polls awarded the victory to the White House incumbent.

The media has acclaimed Republican challenger Romney the victor in the first debate, but in this round the US media focused this time on President Obama's aggressive stance.

"Obama takes offensive" or "Obama gets aggressive" or "Obama and Romney clash" are examples of the general take on Tuesday night's debate. Pundits reckon that Obama learned from his previous defeat and prepared to come out with fists swinging in this round.

In any case, American polls show Obama came away with the victory. A CBS survey put him ahead by 37% to 30% and a CNN poll showed a victory of 46% to 39%.

As the countdown begins to the November 6th elections, a New York Times' assessment shows Obama to win 237 electoral votes, Romney with 191 and 110 as a toss-up. A presidential candidate needs to obtain 270 electoral votes for a victory.

The last debate between the two candidates will take place on Monday, October 22nd, and will focus on foreign policy.

JM

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