Washington:
Republican challenger Mitt Romney has extended his lead over President Barack Obama to 3 percentage points, according to a Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll released on Thursday, ahead of a high-stakes debate between the two candidates' running mates.
Mr Romney now leads the Democrat by 47 per cent to 44 per cent among likely voters in the online poll, with less than a month before the November 6 election. The Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll released on Wednesday had shown Mr Romney with a one-point lead over Obama, his first lead in the survey in more than a month.
Mr Romney has been enjoying one of his best runs of the campaign after handily winning the first presidential debate last week, partially due to President Obama's passive performance in that contest.
© Thomson Reuters 2012