In its first national polling taken mostly after Wednesday night’s presidential debate, Rasmussen Reports shows Mitt Romney up 2 points on President Obama (49 to 47 percent).  Before the debate, Obama was up 2 points on Romney (49 to 47 percent). Among independent voters, Romney now leads by 16 points (54 to 38 percent).

Rasmussen’s write-up says, “The generation gap remains wide.  Obama leads by double digits among those under 40.  Romney leads by double digits among those over 40.”  With a spirited performance during his debate next week against Vice President Biden, however, Paul Ryan may be able to make a dent in Obama’s advantage among younger voters — many of whom are poised to respond to a powerfully delivered anti-Obamacare, anti-debt, pro-growth message.