Obama has a fight on his hands if the results of the first US presidential debate are anything to go by, writes CLIFF SAUNDERS of Northcliff.

The quality of the debate was  high, but there is no doubt that Romney’s performance was far better than that of the incumbent president.

The CNN analysts gathered to discuss the debate were stunned and, for once,  agreed that Romney was the winner. 

Indeed Romney has a razor-sharp brain  and rattles off facts and figures while he still has  the capacity to put forward arguments eloquently and convincingly. 
 
I think Obama will now  have to lean heavily on votes from African-Americans and probably the majority of Hispanics.

One analyst, who usually favours the US president, commented that “Obama seemed to wish he wasn’t there”.

However, debates do not win elections.  What counts is what people experience “on the ground.”

Under Obama’s rule the going has been tough.   Americans must decide how confident they are that Romney  can turn things around.