The presidential campaign remains a draw on television, even against “American Idol.” Last night’s debate between Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama lifted ABC to second in its two-hour timeslot among households and total viewers, behind only Fox.

The debate averaged 10.7 million total viewers and a 7.2 household rating from 8 to 10 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights. That trailed “Idol”-fueled Fox by just under 4 million viewers and 1.5 points.

The Charles Gibson-hosted debate actually won its 8 p.m. hour among adults 18-49, averaging a 2.7 rating, just ahead of NBC’s “Deal or No Deal” at 2.6. At 9 p.m., though the debate’s average rose to 2.8, it slipped to third place against stronger competition from “Idol” (season-low 8.5) and CBS’s “Criminal Minds.”

The debate came six days before the important April 22 primary in Pennsylvania, where Clinton and Obama have been campaigning aggressively. Last night’s event continued the prickly exchanges between the two that have marked this entire primary season.

Meanwhile, Fox was first for the night among 18-49s with a 5.4 average overnight rating and a 15 share. CBS was second at 3.2/9, ABC third at 2.4/6, NBC fourth at 1.9/5, Univision fifth at 1.6/4 and CW sixth at 1.4/4.

At 8 p.m. ABC was first with a 2.7 for the first hour of the debate, followed closely by NBC with a 2.6 for “Deal or No Deal.” CBS was third that hour with a 2.3 for “Big Brother” and Fox fourth with a 2.2 average for the regular timeslot returns of “Til Death” (2.0) and “Back to You” (2.4). The CW and Univision tied for fifth at 1.8, CW for “America’s Next Top Model” (which won the hour in 18-34s with a 2.2) and Univision for “Al Diablo con los Guapos.”

Fox took the lead at 9 p.m. with an 8.5 rating for “American Idol,” while CBS moved to second with a 3.5 for “Criminal Minds.” ABC was third with a 2.8 for the second half of its debate, Univision fourth with a 1.8 for “Pasion,” NBC fifth with a 1.4 for a repeat of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and CW sixth with a 0.9 for “The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious.”

At 10 p.m. CBS led with a 3.7 for “CSI: NY,” with NBC second with a 1.8 for a repeat of “Law & Order,” ABC third with a 1.6 for “Men in Trees” and Univision fourth with a 1.3 for “Don Francisco Presenta.”

Among households, Fox led the night with an 8.7 average overnight rating and a 14 share. CBS was second at 6.9/11, ABC third at 6.3/10, NBC fourth at 4.5/7, Univision fifth at 2.0/3 and CW sixth at 1.9/3.