CNN

The third presidential debate between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain was contentious at times.

HEMPSTEAD, New York (CNN) – John McCain came out of the gate strong, but Barack Obama gained strength as the night progressed Wednesday in the final presidential debate where each candidate tried to convince voters that he is better equipped to steer the nation through these troubled times.

For McCain, the final result of the debate is not great news. When the sun rises Thursday morning, very little will have changed in the race for the White House.

Obama is leading in national polls as well as in key battleground states. McCain faces a financial deficit in these closing days where expensive television advertising will play a key role in helping the candidates deliver their closing arguments.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. Poll of debate watchers surveyed after the 90-minute match-up thought Obama did a better job than McCain by a wide margin, 58 percent to 31 percent.

While McCain was more assertive and clearer in stating his policies in this debate than in the two previous head-to-head meetings, the Republican nominee did not deliver a "game changer" needed to turn momentum back towards his direction.

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