Horserace
October 2, 2008 11:10 PM

CBS Poll: More Uncommitted Voters Saw Biden As Winner

UPDATED CBS News and Knowledge Networks have conducted a nationally representative poll of 473 uncommitted voters to get their immediate reaction to tonight's vice presidential debate.

After the first presidential debate, a similar survey showed that more uncommitted voters identified Barack Obama as the winner

Final numbers from tonight's poll have yet to come in, but we do have some early results. (These numbers may change as more respondents complete the survey.) They suggest that once again more voters have responded favorably to the Democratic candidate.

Forty-six percent of the uncommitted voters surveyed say Democrat Joe Biden won the debate, compared to 21 percent for Republican Sarah Palin. Thirty-three percent said it was a tie.

Eighteen percent of previously uncommitted percent say they are now committed to the Obama-Biden ticket. Ten percent say they are now committed to McCain-Palin. Seventy-one percent are still uncommitted.

Both candidates improved their overall image tonight. Fifty-three percent of those surveyed say they now have a better impression of Biden. Five percent say they have a worse opinion of the Delaware senator, while 42 percent say they debate did not change their opinion.

Fifty-five percent say they now have a better opinion of Palin. Fourteen percent say they have a worse opinion, while 30 percent say their opinion hasn't changed.

After the debate, 66 percent see Palin as knowledgeable about important issues – up from 43 percent before the debate. But Biden still has the advantage on this – 98 percent saw him as knowledgeable after the debate. That figure was 79 percent before the debate.

Uncommitted voters’ views of Palin’s preparedness for the job of vice president also improved as a result of her debate performance - but they are still nowhere near the percentage that thinks Biden is prepared.

Fifty-five percent say Palin is prepared for the job, up from 39 percent before the debate. Ninty-seven percent say Biden is prepared, up from 81 percent pre-debate.

Although Palin made some gains on the question of whether she could serve as president if needed, she rose just 9 points on that measure. Now 44 percent say the Alaska governor could be an effective president. Ninety-one percent said Biden could be effective as president, up from 66 percent before the debate.

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.

Update: Click here for the complete poll data and analysis.
Tags:
Debate ,
sarah palin ,
joe biden ,
poll
Topics:
Debates
Add a Comment See all 317 Comments
by joereed007 October 2, 2008 11:20 PM PDT
This, Ladies and Gentlemen is where it matters..the undecided voters were almost 2 to 1 for Biden.
Reply to this comment
by vivblue October 2, 2008 11:22 PM PDT
Sarah Palin: My god how, how can we put her in office, she is a joke, please people John Mc Cain needs to drop her and drop out himself for this bad pick
Reply to this comment
by historynw October 2, 2008 11:23 PM PDT
joe could have destroyed her if he wanted too, I think as a man and as a professional he is, he didn''t. How would have that looked?
Reply to this comment
by dodcorp October 2, 2008 11:24 PM PDT
Palin past the test that she can talk but, she did not answer at lease question. Plus our past is our present with the Bush administration. Also, she could not show how McCain would be different then Bush. SHE REALLY DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION.
Reply to this comment
by vivblue October 2, 2008 11:24 PM PDT
I''m afraid for the country if John Mc Cain is elected, it seemed to me that she was like a robot with a very fast tape recorder inside her.
Reply to this comment
by aj4321-2009 October 2, 2008 11:29 PM PDT
McCain/Palin - both winking at you america.
Reply to this comment
by ds2oo8 October 2, 2008 11:33 PM PDT
Here''s a good resource that has a lot of information on Palin. There''s a video on there that has her questioning what the job duties of the vice president are just 2 months ago.

http://dailysource.org/palin
Reply to this comment
by montanaview October 2, 2008 11:33 PM PDT
I felt Sarah Palin did an excellent job. If anyone stands for CHANGE, it is SARAH PALIN. No doubt to me that she is the sure WINNER!!
Also please inform the Democratic Party; there is such thing as the LOW INCOME, YES we do exist and YES we do VOTE%u2026

Reply to this comment
by palin0808 October 2, 2008 11:34 PM PDT
Palin did great. CBS news in biased and about 80 percent leaning dem so I don''t buy your polls. Plus she is cleaning up on the fox polls.

She was funny and down to earth and talked in a way we could understand. Biden rambled on and on and choked up like a little girl. What a basket case!!

GREAT JOB SARAH
Reply to this comment
by bobbyduck1 October 2, 2008 11:34 PM PDT
Sarah Palin failed to respond to anything that matters to most Americans. She is good at diverting attention with anecdotes about Alaska, but America is NOT Alaska. There are more people in each of the 5 boroughs of NY City than there are in the whole state of Alaska..! What a bad, non-responsive, and downright scary performance! Joe Biden showed restraint by not shredding here totally!
Reply to this comment
by carepub2008 October 2, 2008 11:34 PM PDT
She won my overwhelming support. I don''t care whether she''s "cute," she''s REAL. Can''t you at least have respect for that? Biden showed his age and his scary botoxed forehead - yikes. They apparently had to drug him to keep him in line... And hello, Biden, Congress is responsible for oversight, not the President. Last time I checked, Biden was a member of Congress...
Reply to this comment
by palin0808 October 2, 2008 11:35 PM PDT
I love how she called out CBS and Katie for the BS way they only have been showing the bad clips of her the last week. Katie is a total joke!!!!
Reply to this comment
by susan20081 October 2, 2008 11:36 PM PDT
Governor Palin won the debate. She demonstrated a command of foreign policy, economics and energy. She proved to be a formidable candidate, and most importantly, she connected with middle class voters like me.
Reply to this comment
by thamesalex October 2, 2008 11:36 PM PDT
Sarah Palin didn''t win the debate for several reasons. Tonight, she actually showed she had what it takes to be McCain''s running mate. However, she spent her time establishing her base. I think tonight she pieced back together what her Katie Couric interview tore apart. With that, she failed to "convert" swing voters and independents. I say Biden won. He addressed her as Governor which was respectful while she called him Joe. He called her out on this "Maverick" thing (which I was so proud of). By the way, what is a "maverick"? LOL. I stopped keeping count on the number of times she used it. She answered what "she" wanted to answer versus respecting the moderator and America by answering the questions given. America knows she was a Mayor. America knows she was a governor. But American wants to know what she''ll do in her role as VP. She failed to convince me tonight. Every time, she uses her role as governor and mayor to her advantage. But Palin darling... that''s gotten really old. I''m afraid Palin''s honeymoon w/ America is OVER. I''ve been converted. Go OBAMA/BIDEN!!!
Reply to this comment
by monstromo October 2, 2008 11:37 PM PDT
By God, she says "nucular"
Reply to this comment
by virginiablow October 2, 2008 11:37 PM PDT
Joe Biden blew Palin out of the park. She has not answers and shows a great lack of knowledge. Her wanting more power as VP is really scary.
Reply to this comment
by thamesalex October 2, 2008 11:37 PM PDT
Sarah Palin didn''t win the debate for several reasons. Tonight, she actually showed she had what it takes to be McCain''s running mate. However, she spent her time establishing her base. I think tonight she pieced back together what her Katie Couric interview tore apart. Atleast this is one Saturday Tina Fay can take off! With that, she failed to "convert" swing voters and independents. I say Biden won. He addressed her as Governor which was respectful while she called him Joe. He called her out on this "Maverick" thing (which I was so proud of). By the way, what is a "maverick"? LOL. I stopped keeping count on the number of times she used it. She answered what "she" wanted to answer versus respecting the moderator and America by answering the questions given. America knows she was a Mayor. America knows she was a governor. But American wants to know what she''ll do in her role as VP. She failed to convince me tonight. Every time, she uses her role as governor and mayor to her advantage. But Palin darling... that''s gotten really old. I''m afraid Palin''s honeymoon w/ America is OVER. I''ve been converted. Go OBAMA/BIDEN!
Reply to this comment
by monstromo October 2, 2008 11:39 PM PDT
By God, she says "nucular".
Reply to this comment
by nplambert October 2, 2008 11:39 PM PDT
Sarah mopped the floor with Biden''s wet brow!All Biden could do is talk about Bush! Come on Joe- that''s sooooo yesterday. Way to go Sarah- that was one for Hilary! PUMA
Reply to this comment
by bookout2 October 2, 2008 11:39 PM PDT
You say Biden won. You''re a liar.
Reply to this comment
by sbnilsson October 2, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
Both did a good job in the debate. But Biden articulated very well the reasons to vote for Obama - tax cuts for 95 percent of American families, health care for all and a responsible end of the war in Iraq.
Reply to this comment
by ptrella October 2, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
Can I just ask, what is up with the cheesy winks?
Reply to this comment
by jimlayton October 2, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
Palin proved that after several weeks she can dodge questions and memorize talking points.
Reply to this comment
by Dougman9 October 2, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
Palin actually impressed me with her performance in tonights debate. She did well for a novice. She still is probably the most unqualified VP candidate in the last 4 or 5 decades. She could do herself a huge favor by canning the Gomer Pyle impressions. Very unbecoming of a VP nominee.
Reply to this comment
by monstromo October 2, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
By God, she says "nucular" and "I-ran". Vonnegut was right: Conservatives hate Arabs because they invented arithmetic.
Reply to this comment
by mcapek October 2, 2008 11:40 PM PDT
Yeah 2 to 1 according to the highly pro-Democrat CBS poll, that''s very scientific, no doubt.
Biden made at least 10 gross factual errors, and those will be published and debated at length in tomorrows press. Did anybody mention that Biden has had two (2) brain aneurysm clippings so far, and that therefore he is at risk for more aneurysms, sudden massive intracranial bleeding, coma and death?
Reply to this comment
by whataboutgod October 2, 2008 11:41 PM PDT
If Sarah Palin mentioned Alaska again!!!!!! Joe Biden showed a great command of the issues. Sarah was disrepectful in calling him Joe like he was an old drunk while he called her governer. She also tried to play the female card. I was glad that Joe Biden played the human card showing that men hurt too.
Reply to this comment
by misands October 2, 2008 11:41 PM PDT
Biden was a class act! He clearly has what it takes to be Prez. Of the four - Obama, McCain, & Palin, Biden seems like he would make the better President.
Palin''s voice just grated my nerves, and I didn''t see any substance in what she said. She sounded like a bunch of rehearsed talking points to me. I was so sick of hearing her say "maverick" over and over again. And what''s up with the winking thing?
Reply to this comment
by monstromo October 2, 2008 11:41 PM PDT
By God, she says "nucular" and "I-ran". Vonnegut was right: Conservatives hate Arabs because they invented arithmetic.
Reply to this comment
by monstromo October 2, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
By God, she says "nucular" and "I-ran". Vonnegut was right: Conservatives hate Arabs because they invented arithmetic.
Reply to this comment
by gwjackie October 2, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
Did six-pack drink it all before the debate she must have. she lost bad-bad-bad.
Reply to this comment
by sbnilsson October 2, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
Both did a good job in the debate. But Biden articulated very well the reasons to vote for Obama - tax cuts for 95 percent of American families, health care for all and a responsible end of the war in Iraq.
Reply to this comment
by monstromo October 2, 2008 11:44 PM PDT
By God, she says "nucular" and "I-ran". Vonnegut was right: Conservatives hate Arabs because they invented arithmetic.
Reply to this comment
by mikyellow October 2, 2008 11:44 PM PDT
I didn''t understand what she said about global warming. did she say ''who cares what the cause is, just fix it''. if I brought my car into the shop, would I want the mechanic to say ''who cares what the problem is, I''ll just fix it.'' what is she talking about?

also, half the time, she just looked like she reciting for an oral test. her face looks blank when she answers. other times, she winks! is that tacky or what?

I have more respect for joe now. he showed professionalism and restraint from clobbering her.

mccain and palin show sleaze. joe and obama is more refined.
Reply to this comment
by lucasnico October 2, 2008 11:44 PM PDT
Sarah Palin totally destroyed Joe Biden tonight - and with a smile, no less.

Sarah Palin connected with the vast majority of American voters, who dislike the partisan, finger-pointing Washington insiders that have created all of the problems in our government.

Posted by OneAmerican6

I want whatever you''re smoking because you''ve obviously left reality behind!
Reply to this comment
by mcapek October 2, 2008 11:45 PM PDT
"reasons to vote for Obama - tax cuts for 95 percent of American families, health care for all and a responsible end of the war in Iraq." hehehehe, Democrats giving TAX CUTS...care to show the precedent? and, at the same time promising HEALTHCARE FOR ALL, while the existing Medicare and Medicaid is already BANKRUPTING US! healthcare for all, you better have an UNLIMITED amounts of money for that utopian idea...
Reply to this comment
by bchandra90 October 2, 2008 11:45 PM PDT
I think Joe won the debate. However, Sarah showed herself to be a better talking head then we were led to believe. The problem with that is there is no substance. Like winking at the camera. This is not Dancing with the Stars and being cute does not a Vice President make to the Oldest man to ever run for a first term in office. Truth to tell if I were going to vote for McCain that wink would have changed everything for me. This is no joking matter and she proved not to take this whole situation serious enough for me.
Reply to this comment
by catslady2 October 2, 2008 11:46 PM PDT
where can i find fair news. it seems to me that the networks is pro obama.. i know that the american people are smarter that the media.. CAN THE MEDIA BE FAIR AND GIVE THE AMERICAN WHAT THEY WANT..I HAVE LOST RESPECT WATCHING THE NEWS..
Reply to this comment
by gwjackie October 2, 2008 11:46 PM PDT
If you are a republican and you do not think you can win then it is a tie always
Reply to this comment
by jake5255 October 2, 2008 11:46 PM PDT
Palin is so obviously fed a few talking points to keep trying to steer back to in every interview I''ve seen with her and the debate was no different. McCain''s choice of Palin, along with other choices and waffling he''s done, make me seriously question his judgement.
Reply to this comment
by jimlayton October 2, 2008 11:48 PM PDT
Palin shows that she can repeat talking points.

So can a parrot.
Reply to this comment
by charleytuna2 October 2, 2008 11:48 PM PDT
Sarah Palin won and connected with the Anmerican People.

American are tired of the blame game politician and tired of the mean spirited media people like Katie Couric and Whoopie who don''t relate to any of us and don''t deserve our attention. God Bless Sarah!!
Reply to this comment
by carepub2008 October 2, 2008 11:48 PM PDT
All you arguing that Palin did not do a good job are out of touch with real Americans.

How hard do YOU work for your money and your freedom?

Stop being so elitist and *try* to open your minds for a moment... Look at the bigger, long term picture and what history has shown us about regulation and tax hikes.

Reply to this comment
by tplpkptp October 2, 2008 11:48 PM PDT
She hit it out of the talk. Her straight talk remains consistent and in touch with the people. An outside the beltway style is great! McCain gets things done on both sides of the aisle and Palin can fight big oil and the crooks that have tumbled our economy. Her message of reform is winning me over.
Reply to this comment
by confeddunces October 2, 2008 11:49 PM PDT
Pro-Obama? No, pro-professionalism.
Reply to this comment
by misands October 2, 2008 11:49 PM PDT
He addressed her as Governor which was respectful while she called him Joe.
-Posted by thamesalex
___________
You know, you are right about that. He was a class-act and she was just grating, condending, and disrectful. Senator Biden has been serving this nation while she was still in grade school.
Reply to this comment
by gwjackie October 2, 2008 11:49 PM PDT
George Bush has ben giving you what you want THE SHAFT!
Reply to this comment
by vitterdidder October 2, 2008 11:49 PM PDT
Palin was clearly the winner. Biden was just a rehash of the old pol that he is. Palin is a remarkable public servant and we saw tonight that she is clearly qualified to be a great vice president!!! Easy on the eyes, too!!!
Reply to this comment
by fubaglady October 2, 2008 11:50 PM PDT
Did anyone count how many time Biden said "John McCain"? He must have said mentioned McCain''s name a thousand times. Ten times more than he said Obama! Most of his whole debate was about John McCain''s old votes. I didn''t find that very compelling a reason to vote for Obama!

I think Palin did a great job! She comes across so well when she''s not edited by the media.
Reply to this comment
by truthradar October 2, 2008 11:50 PM PDT
I''m surprised the moderator didn''t ask "what medication are you on!" What a blubbering rhetoric of canned answers, eye winks & shout outs...did she actually say shout outs! You would think that one of the debaters had been locked away for days memorizing to dizziness, incoherent pieces of some high school program patriotic skit, or canned responses to the mystery question when you''re one of the 5 finalist in a pageant! Oh thats right, that''s Palin! And I''ve never seen any debator tell the moderator that their questions & presence will be ignored or not answered...how disrespectful & self anointing!
Reply to this comment
See all 317 Comments

About Horserace

Description for Horserace

Add to your favorite news reader
google
yahoo
msn
  • MOST POPULAR
  • Viewed
  • Commented