Romney Takes Lead in Latest Poll

Stakes are high for tonight's debate

A new Gallup poll released just hours before the second presidential debate shows Mitt Romney widening his national lead over President Obama—underscoring what's at stake for Obama as he tries to regain lost ground in the wake of a lackluster debate debut.  

The poll of likely voters showed Romney leading 50-46 percent. It echoed the conclusion from a host of both national and battleground surveys conducted after the first Obama-Romney faceoff—Romney is gaining ground and in some cases surpassing Obama in the polls.