Horserace
September 26, 2008 11:02 PM

Poll Results Suggest More Uncommitted Voters Saw Obama As Debate Winner

UPDATED WITH FINAL NUMBERS CBS News and Knowledge Networks conducted a nationally representative poll of approximately 500 uncommitted voters reacting to the debate in the minutes after it happened.

Thirty-nine percent of uncommitted voters who watched the debate tonight thought Barack Obama was the winner. Twenty-four percent thought John McCain won. Thirty-seven percent saw it as a draw.

Forty-six percent of uncommitted voters said their opinion of Obama got better tonight. Thirty-two percent said their opinion of McCain got better.

Sixty-six percent of uncommitted voters think Obama would make the right decisions about the economy. Forty-two percent think McCain would.

Forty-eight percent of these voters think Obama would make the right decisions about Iraq. Fifty-six percent think McCain would.

We will have a full report on the poll later on. Uncommitted voters are those who don't yet know who they will vote for, or who have chosen a candidate but may still change their minds.

The margin of sampling error could be plus or minus 4 percentage points for results based on the entire sample.

Click here to read more from the poll.
Tags:
debate ,
winner ,
barack obama ,
john mccain
Topics:
Debates
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by peallen007 September 26, 2008 11:14 PM PDT
Agree, Obama wins
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by kaleainvegas September 26, 2008 11:19 PM PDT
I am a registered Republican, but for some reason i have more trust in Barack Obama. McCain, did OK, but Mr Obama did better, and was cool, calm, and collected, and made more sense. Mr McCain just seems like, i hate to say it, "more of the same"
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by homjett September 26, 2008 11:20 PM PDT
Obama was good in the first 30 mins, then gave way to McCain in the last part. I sensed that Obama was a tad arrogant, an was suprised to hear that he agreed so much with McCain. In that Obama was suppose to win this debate hands down, an he did not, makes McCain look that much better.
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by lucca2004 September 26, 2008 11:21 PM PDT
I agree that Obama won this debate. McCain was very arrogant and condescending while Obama was very polite during the debate. Both seemed to be knowledgable about the subjects though.
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by cyndilu9 September 26, 2008 11:22 PM PDT
Obama won, no question. John McCain was condescending and out of touch. It''s time for a change for sure.
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by babooph September 26, 2008 11:23 PM PDT
If he did it was very close-the 800 lb gorilla in the room,was that the war in Iraq has already been won-BY CHINA-they are exploring space ,growing worldwide,all on hard work &the massive debt the US will be paying the forever!!
Reply to this comment
by ademeyer September 26, 2008 11:24 PM PDT
McCain kept referencing Kissinger, Reagan and Vietnam. I''m 49 and even I find that to be ancient history. I think Obama is the one lead us forward.
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by buduska82 September 26, 2008 11:25 PM PDT
Isn''t foreign policies suppose to be MCcain strong hold??? Obama set a clear path for us.!!
Reply to this comment
by martimr1 September 26, 2008 11:25 PM PDT
Obama won on points. Viewers looking for sound bites, emotion, and smirking will go for McCain. McCain re-used a bunch of distortions and lies (like "I support our veterans" when he really doesn''t vote that way) that smart voters will catch. The question is, how smart are the voters.
Reply to this comment
by buduska82 September 26, 2008 11:26 PM PDT
easeltine in whst ?
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by dendroje September 26, 2008 11:27 PM PDT
Is my math wrong or is your poll? Sixty-eight percent of uncommitted voters think Obama would make the right decisions about the economy. Forty-one percent think McCain would.
Reply to this comment
by smurfcrusher September 26, 2008 11:27 PM PDT
Unanimous, so far.

Unfortunately having the best ideas and debating skills is not a major consideration for many voters.

I remind the readers that Bush participated in debates many years ago, too. Guess who won those debates?
Reply to this comment
by idiobiblio September 26, 2008 11:28 PM PDT
Sen. McCain was often irritable, but he rarely acted presidential. He spent so much of his time trying to characterize Sen. Obama one way or another while repeatedly invoking his years of senate experience, and little time laying out specifics of a McCain presidency. Obama simply articulated many more specifics in a calm measured manner.
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by j_q_public September 26, 2008 11:29 PM PDT
why can''t the pollsters do basic math? how credible can any poll be that generates numbers like these?
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by buduska82 September 26, 2008 11:29 PM PDT
The polls are speaking for all of us.
Reply to this comment
by bluecuda1 September 26, 2008 11:30 PM PDT
"Sixty-eight percent of uncommitted voters think Obama would make the right decisions about the economy. Forty-one percent think McCain would."

For a total of 109% of voters. New math? I''m confused. This was also the data displayed on national television on CBS after the debate.

"Forty-six percent of uncommitted voters said their opinion of Obama got better tonight."

And how many had an improved opinion of McCain? No data? Or just not reporting the numbers.

I think the public deserves a little better reporting on such an important issue...
Reply to this comment
by captianken September 26, 2008 11:30 PM PDT
McCain DID A GREAT JOB OBOMA DOES NOT HAVE THE INSITE INTO THE TUFF WORLD IT IS OUT THERE AND HIM BEING A SOCILIST LIKE EUROPE, HE WOULD BE A GOODS LEADER THERE BUT NOT HERE IN LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE
Reply to this comment
by buduska82 September 26, 2008 11:31 PM PDT
easeltine... what is the difference between Mccain policies and Bush????????? Name ONe
Reply to this comment
by hjbbbbbb September 26, 2008 11:31 PM PDT
I thought both were good but Obama hits on points that will effect me, ie, Vietnam is over. I am so concerned about health care and education for my children. I am also concerned about being laid off, Obama hits more on these points for me.
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by lexieforbes September 26, 2008 11:31 PM PDT
I listened to the debate on radio. Maybe that prevented me from being swayed by the stage presence and star quality that seems to have given Obama the edge in so many viewers'' minds. I think McCain showed that he had a lot of knowledge and perspective on every single issue that was discussed in the debate. Obama seemed to be flailing around, trying to string together appealing soundbites from his speeches. McCain was right. This guy does NOT GET IT. He clearly does not grasp the historical and political connections necessary to construct foreign policy. And for those of you who believe he''s the one who will bring us OUT of the mortgage lending crisis, please take a couple of minutes to read the September 22 article by Kevin Hassett on www.bloomberg.com entitled "How the Democrats Created the Financial Crisis" and find out how your guy helped ge us INTO this mess (and benefited financially in the process...) Wake up and vote for McCain!
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by tysonjunior September 26, 2008 11:31 PM PDT
How could ANYONE vote for Obama after this debate? John McCain has it right and it is obvious!!! Who was it that intervened when congress had the "done deal" of bailing out the corporate crooks-----It was John McCain. Of course, those prefer to "spin" rather than acknowedge the facts would like to call John McCain a "spoiler" of a speedy "solution".
Thank God for John McCain!!!! And Sarah Palin..
Reply to this comment
by cees14 September 26, 2008 11:32 PM PDT
YES OBAMA WON CLEARLY..
Reply to this comment
by tboonepicken September 26, 2008 11:32 PM PDT
Obama nailed it for me. Energy Independence!!! I never thought a dishonest Texan like me would go left, but I''m in Obamaland now. Where do I send my check?
Reply to this comment
by westtexas8 September 26, 2008 11:33 PM PDT
Obama was in top form. McCain kept mentioning Reagan. Perhaps this is
consideredahappycomparison;however,like McCain, I have been around awhile- just not as long as he- and I am no fan of Reagan. I almost worked myself into the ground during the first republican experiment of "starve the beast" just to help feed my children, and I have never recieved public assistance.His reminders of how very old he is and trying to bring Reagan to mind
made him seem panicked. I was easier in my mind about leaning toward Obama. Obama just gets what is happening in my country and in the world. McCain cannot get off the subject of his great judgement for the surge in Iraq. I can''t get past the fact we invaded a country illegally and created a haven for terrorism. In addition, we did create the loss of credibility in Aftganistan and McCain chose to ignore this area until now, when we have no resources to fight. His stubborness places us at risk internationally just when we need to be alert to the problems of war and have the money to spend if war becomes necessary. It is beyond irresponsible of McCain. I remember Vietnam very well, and he has our servicemen in the very same ditch and will not let them out. Besides, no matter what McCain says,he is not the great friend of the serviceman he pretends to be. It annoys me when he invokes his service record to further his own ambitions. For that reason Mc Cain has always grated a little.
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by johngaltwho September 26, 2008 11:34 PM PDT
Little scary that some of you don''t get the math...

"Sixty-eight percent of uncommitted voters think Obama would make the right decisions about the economy. Forty-one percent think McCain would. "

Ummm, some people think they would both make the right decisions. Its not a mutually exclusive judgment...
Reply to this comment
by buduska82 September 26, 2008 11:34 PM PDT
Mccain did not win Miss Congeniality for a reason? Mccain BUsh thank you for the last 8 years..!!
Reply to this comment
by samthetvcat September 26, 2008 11:35 PM PDT
---"Uncommitted voters are those who don''t yet know who they will vote for, or who have chosen a candidate but may still change their minds."---

I am a registered Republican, but have more trust in John McCain.

But look, Barack''s winning on the economy and people are filtering everything through that.

I think at this point that McCain''s last hope might be to hope the troopergate scandal turns out bad for Palin so he can use it as an excuse to switch her out for an economic expert with populist appeal. Not sure who he could pick because the person would have to be respected enough for people to accept the person as qualified right off the bad and not upset the base who adores Palin for her conservative values. Who fits that bill?

Also, maybe he''s too far gone for a quality moderate to want to come in at the 11th hour.

I think this debate was McCain''s last hope since he didn''t take a high-profile stand with an alternative plan to the bailout (which he probably didn''t understand).

Barring a world war, I think that''s it . . .
Reply to this comment
by richnj1 September 26, 2008 11:36 PM PDT
Yo, math "whiz" kids: the question was about whether Obama would make good decisions about the economy, and whether McCain would make good decisions. The numbers add to more than 100% because some people would have said "yes" to BOTH candidates. It is possible to believe that Obama AND McCain would make good economic decisions. It was not an either/or question.

LEARN TO READ. Then again, your comments indicated that you are supporting McCain, so I understand your illiteracy.
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by samthetvcat September 26, 2008 11:36 PM PDT
PS Oops, that should read I''m a registered Democrat. I''m still voting for Nancy Pelosi, no to prop 8!
Reply to this comment
by johngaltwho September 26, 2008 11:37 PM PDT
I support Obama and I think McCain won the debate. Obama gives measured thougtful responses to complex issues but to most people this seems like he''s not decisive. McCain, on the other hand, blurts out black and white one liners and slogans from the campaign trail and most people think this shows courage and clarity.

So, for the masses, I think McCain was successful and given his choice of Sarah Palin and the tone of his campaign, he''s certainly not targeting the college educated crowd.
Reply to this comment
by September 26, 2008 11:37 PM PDT
McCain seemed small and nervous during the first segment of the debate (which was about the economy). He actually seemed shaky, verbally. That was really odd.
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by buduska82 September 26, 2008 11:37 PM PDT
richnj1 what has Mccain done for the economy??
Reply to this comment
by tysonjunior September 26, 2008 11:38 PM PDT
Exactly who were the selective respondents of your slanted poll? I certainly did not get a chance to respond. John McCain is the candidate of substance!!! Obama''s rhetorical "speeches" will not solve anything for our country.
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by buduska82 September 26, 2008 11:39 PM PDT
Its sad That Mccain has to use the terrible situation on what happened in Vietnam to help him in HIS politics!!!
Reply to this comment
by geewiz9 September 26, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
Obama held his own ! McCain should have knocked this debate out of the ball park....Obama Won !
Reply to this comment
by bethanyd617 September 26, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
I just lost my job, i don''t have healthcare and I want to go to graduate school so that I can run a non-profit organization that assists people with mental illness and veterans. A President Obama brings so much more peace to mind about the future of our country and my personal challenges and goals for the future. I''m grateful that Sen. Obama is a choice in this election.
Reply to this comment
by johngaltwho September 26, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
Again, not surprising that the posts that claim victory for McCain in the debate resort not to data or impressions from the event but the same tired old wayward talking points promulgated by the McCain sleaze machine.
Reply to this comment
by cakemanjb September 26, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
A bad week for McCain , just got a whole lot worse. Lets see , we have Rick Davis , McCain dropping like a rock in the polls. Then he pulls this political stunt of supposedly suspending his Campaign and claims he has to run back to Washington to save the world. But he failed to mention that he is not part of the committees that were dealing with the bail out , and therefor wouldn''t have any input anyway. Then the congressional leaders come out and make statements about not needing McCain or wanting him. McCain shows up in Washington and screws up the entire frame work of the agreement. A very Conservative Republican comes out in MSM calling for Palin to step down for the good of the Republican Party because she is way out of her league , which once again points towards McCain''s very poor judgment. Then McCain flip flops again , and decides he better show up for the Debate. Then McCain GETS SPANKED , AND LOSES THE DEBATE.

NOW THE OLD DUDE LOOKS EVEN DUMBER THEN HE IS.

Did i miss anything ???????
Reply to this comment
by buduska82 September 26, 2008 11:41 PM PDT
rickp75 Do POWs have the Experience to run the country???
Reply to this comment
by nursebutch September 26, 2008 11:42 PM PDT
Obama: 1
McCain: Huh? Was he there?

Obama was so much more in command of the facts and so much more poised that it made McCain appear the angry old man he is. I listened on the radio, and McC sounded like a tired old Ronny Raygun. He harped on earmarks until I wanted to scream (hint: earmarks aren''t what got us into this current mess). If he mentioned Gen. Petraeus one more time (the wisest person he can think of, btw), I was going to scream. Gen. Petraeus doesn''t run the US military, and he isn''t God incarnate. And the attempt at plucking heart strings with the bracelet comment made me want to lose my enchiladas.

I find it astounding that any thinking person could even consider making McCain the head of anything - especially the United States of America. Time to retire John.

GObama!!!

NurseButch
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by teacher239 September 26, 2008 11:42 PM PDT
Obama looked presidential. McCain looked old.
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by trunews September 26, 2008 11:42 PM PDT
Obama was calmer, more polite and showed a better demeanor. McCain seemed grumpy and lectured Obama too much. Very off-putting of McCain, in my opinion.
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by greenfun September 26, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
Liars. I am an uncomitted and McCain just won me over, and I also know BO texted his supporters to watch CNN-guess who CNN thinks won??? Can we say media manipulation.
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by westtexas8 September 26, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
Mr. Pickens, sir. If that is indeed your post- three cheers.
Here is to energy freedom and a
new electricity grid for wind, solar,clean coal-for energy independence? OBAMA- 2008
Reply to this comment
by buduska82 September 26, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
easeltine Your right. Lets vote for another BUSh???
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by bpai99 September 26, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
McCain needed a clear victory tonight and I don''t think he got it. The clock is running out for him...
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by leighg1 September 26, 2008 11:44 PM PDT
The problem is that McCain''s policies and VP are not good for our country. It does not matter he won or lose the debate.

Go Obama!
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by mdmanhattan September 26, 2008 11:44 PM PDT
Obama appeared cool, collected and presidential--I think he needed to show resolve and emphasize his command of the issues. I think he succeeded.
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by adriana231 September 26, 2008 11:45 PM PDT
Can someone tell me why smart is bad? Everyone says Obama is "too academic"...doesn''t someone other than me want a smart president?
I guess the plus side is that if McCain wins, google''s chimp-o-meter will continue with Palin taking over for W...
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by hokuto1 September 26, 2008 11:45 PM PDT
rickp75 didn''t stick around for the analysis: "68%+41%=how many of the 500 surveyed?"

They asked each question about each candidate separately, so the totals add up to more than 100%.
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