Polls give Obama debate win against McCain

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Democratic nominee Barack Obama won the final presidential debate he had Wednesday night against Republican John McCain, two polls indicated.

A CNN poll found Obama bested McCain 58 percent to 31 percent. The poll -- which mirrored the U.S. electorate with a sample of 40 percent Democrats, 30 percent Republicans and 30 percent of other voters -- also found Obama's favorable ratings among the sample increased while McCain's favorable rating decreased.

A CBS poll found that 53 percent of uncommitted voters surveyed said Obama won the debate, while 22 percent said McCain came out on top. Twenty-four percent saw the debate as a draw.

Obama's win at Hofstra University marked the third debate the Illinois senator won against McCain, polls indicate.

In an appearance on CNN, Sen. Hillary Clinton said Obama has shown steady leadership though the nation's economic crisis.

"He's been cool, calm and collected," said Clinton, D-N.Y. "Again, tonight you saw the command he has."

The CNN poll sample size was not reported. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.