Obama ahead before make or break presidential debate

Ahead of a crucial presidential debate before the US goes to polls next month, President Barack Obama, who eyes a second term at the White House, is enjoying a minor lead over his Republican rival Mitt Romney, an opinion poll has said.

The survey, conducted by NBC/Wall Street Journal, showed Obama now leading 49 per cent to 46 per cent among likely voters, down slightly from the five-point lead he enjoyed in mid-September, the daily said.

The survey of likely voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points, it added.

While Obama maintains commanding leads among Hispanics, young voters and women, his Republican challenger holds a strong margin of support among white voters and men, and appears to be gaining a little strength among the college educated, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The Obama camp said that the President is looking forward to the debate on Wednesday.

"He is looking forward to heading to Denver on Wednesday to -- having the opportunity to speak directly to the American people to remind them of the choice in this election.  That's what his focus will be during the debate in the evening," campaign spokesperson Jen Psaki said.

To be held at Denver later in the day, the first of the three presidential debates is been termed as a make or break moment for both the contenders before they finally face the polls on November 6.