Horserace
October 7, 2008 10:34 PM

CBS Poll: Uncommitted Voters Say Obama Won Debate

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

And this new poll has good news for the Democratic ticket: Just as in the first presidential debate and the vice presidential face off, more uncommitted voters say the Democratic candidate won the debate. (We've updated this post with final numbers.)

Forty percent of the 516 uncommitted voters surveyed identified Barack Obama as tonight's winner; 26 percent said John McCain won, while 34 percent saw the debate as a draw.

After the debate, 68 percent of uncommitted voters said that they think Obama will make the right decisions on the economy, compared to 55 percent who said that before the debate. Fewer thought McCain would do so – 48 percent after the debate, and 41 percent before.

Before the debate, 59 percent thought Obama understands voters’ needs and problems; that rose to 80 percent after the debate. For McCain, 33 percent felt he understands voters’ needs before the debate, and 44 percent thought so afterwards.

There is some good news for McCain, who still dominates Obama when it comes to perceptions of readiness to be president. Before the debate, 42 percent thought Obama was prepared for the job, and that percentage rose to 58 percent after the debate. But 77 percent felt McCain was prepared for the job before the debate, and 83 percent thought so afterwards.

Before the debate, 51 percent thought Obama would bring real change; afterwards, 63 percent thought that. For McCain, just 23 percent thought he would bring real change before the debate, while 38 percent thought so afterwards.

Fifty-seven percent thought McCain answered the questions that were asked, and an identical percentage thought Obama did.

Seventy-two percent of uncommitted voters remained uncommitted after the debate. Fifteen percent committed to Obama, and 12 percent to McCain.

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.

Click here for the complete poll
Tags:
debate ,
poll ,
barack obama ,
john mccain
Topics:
Debates
Add a Comment See all 225 Comments
by joereed007 October 7, 2008 11:05 PM PDT
This is looking good for Obama. I am so proud to support Senator Barack Obama. He was much more Presidential and respectful. McCain saying "that one" was totally disrespectful.
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by virginiablow October 7, 2008 11:07 PM PDT
Obama definitely knows foreign affaris much better than McCain, he knows healthcare should be a right, and I believe Obamas tax plan is much better than McCains.
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by targaray-2009 October 7, 2008 11:09 PM PDT
Senator Obama was brillant, presidential, intelligent, focused and forceful. He clearly has the honesty, temperment, judgement, and integrity to lead this great nation out of the malice of the past 8 years of the Bush-McCain administration.
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by stormeytexan October 7, 2008 11:09 PM PDT



Looks like after 8 long years of failed leadership, we''re going to get a real leader.


Obama 08!


It''s time for real CHANGE.



Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 October 7, 2008 11:09 PM PDT
"McCain saying "that one" was totally disrespectful." Posted by JoeReed007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
McCain probably cannot remember Obama''s name. It''s that pesty old age memory thing.
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by gfox67 October 7, 2008 11:12 PM PDT
Do you poll the same handful of people every time? Dumb, Dumber, & Dumbest? Are these the liberal medias relatives or something?

McCain won by far!!! Obama has no heart or brains, only a smooth talking mouth that changes with the wind.
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by emorale October 7, 2008 11:16 PM PDT
McCain Won the debate by far%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026..revealed NOBAMAS plus Tax record and Obama%u2019s not so honest record of Liberal Tax socialism.
Jimmy Carter all over again if NObama plus tax gets in the Office...Latino from Ca
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by rbyanes October 7, 2008 11:16 PM PDT
This is an especially embarassing loss for McCain as the town hall format is supposed to be his specialty. Maybe McCain should be thankful that Obama didn''t agree to those 10 town hall meetings...
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by October 7, 2008 11:17 PM PDT
I thought they both did well. They both looked Presidential. I was glad they were agreeable in their disagreements. Really what President Obama should do is work with Senator McCain in the congress to get things done. Senator McCain''s ability to reach across the aisle would be a perfect complement to President Obama''s ability to inspire, and goodness knows Senator McCain''s experience should be used for the nation''s benefit, like in Country First.
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by j313richton October 7, 2008 11:18 PM PDT
McNasty is almost %u2018all the way%u2019 back! It is very unfortunate to see someone running for the Office of President come across, so desperate%u2026 Senator McCain is determined to become the next president at %u201Cany%u201D cost. There is clearly a difference between the two candidates that people cannot ignore. One has the patience and temperament with a good handle on the future of America as well as world issues verses one who failed the test of honesty. Senator Obama came across honest and had a presidential presence. Senator McCain continues to use distorted information/data, and as an American it is very insulting! He seems very out of touch.
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by furby0001 October 7, 2008 11:18 PM PDT
How have the last 8 years been a failure??? I''m making 1/4 of what I made 8 years ago and the prices of everything have doubled!
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by amerecua October 7, 2008 11:19 PM PDT
Barack Hussein Obama...(yes I mentioned his middle name. Who cares?) will clearly be the next president of the United States. He shows he can be a true leader with a vision of something other than world dominence. The U.S. is going to go through some major changes in the next few years and I believe will lead us into a new age where the success of the country is based on an over all feeling of well being rather that GDP or GDA.
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by emorale October 7, 2008 11:20 PM PDT
McCain Won the debate by far%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026. It revealed NOBAMAS plus Tax record and Obama%u2019s not so honest record of Liberal Tax socialism. Obama has no clue and no record of doing anything well.
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by October 7, 2008 11:20 PM PDT
McCain can''t overcome years of support for deregulation and opposition to alternative energy.
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by thevealchop October 7, 2008 11:20 PM PDT
OBAMA ran away with this one...
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by kgnla October 7, 2008 11:21 PM PDT
In the Presidential debate this evening Sen. John McCain made the statement that the government should buy up the toxic mortgages. That is the worst idea I have ever heard, and here''s why.
The people who have lost their homes can''t buy a home because of their deminished credit standing.
Next most lenders if not all will more than likely revert to the 20% down concept, and who has 20% down just sitting in the bank plus all the incidentals? So now who is qualified to buy these foreclosed on homes, especially if the credit freeze and the economy deteriorates further. So now the taxpayer is stuck with the 700 billion dollar bill, plus a horrible economy. Oh well!!
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by mikyellow October 7, 2008 11:21 PM PDT
I can''t believe mccain pointed to obama and said ''that one!. omg, that was totally off and dishonorable.

and mccain kept saying, ''I know how to do that.....I know how to do that''. I''m sorry but that does not answer the question! where are the details?

and his so called attacks made him look weak and childish. I''ve never seen a citizen that out of touch, childish, rude, and mean-spirited. I think mccain''s lost it. he needs to go get a mental check up.
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by royalia October 7, 2008 11:24 PM PDT
RE: "revealed NOBAMAS plus Tax record"

But McCain repeated at least one lie about Obama''s tax plan. Look at www.factcheck.org and you will see. That "voted 94 times" to increase taxes is a LIE! Look it up. If you use the same measure as McCain is using, McCain voted for tax increases more than Obama. And Whalin Palin voted for a windfall tax on oil companies. Huh? She''s a socialist!
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by maramara2 October 7, 2008 11:25 PM PDT
I was undecided but now, I am. not because of this debate but because McCain who promised to run an honorable campaign has decided to be the most deshonorable person in the history of American politics.
If he cannot keep a simple promise he made before the campaign started, how can someone trust him on keeping the promises he makes during the campaign.
He is erratic and filled with hatred. He cannot lead this country in this age.
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by October 7, 2008 11:25 PM PDT
That wild proposal by McCain to take over all the bad mortgages is really going to break the bank. More huge Republican deficits!
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by sjc_1 October 7, 2008 11:28 PM PDT
The Town Hall format was suppose to be what McCain has been waiting for. I do not know why, he did poorly. In the next and final debate Barack will finish him off once and for all.
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by darrren12000 October 7, 2008 11:28 PM PDT
I hope you tell the party affiliation and the candidate preferences of these "uncommitted" voters. Your last survey did not do this - even though by your own admission, some of the uncommitted people are actually "committed" to a candidate at the moment.
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by wstoneking24 October 7, 2008 11:29 PM PDT
john mccain, why why why??? i cant believe that the MAN i respected in 2000 has forsaken his values so much that his own sense of honour wasnt even enough to allow him to be good mannered. How can you change anything in America for the better with so little respect for your honorable adversary. Shame on you for making me want to vote for "that one".
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by guillecara October 7, 2008 11:31 PM PDT
Republicans should be honest with themselves and admit that they are for "party first" instead of "country first" that they want the rest of us to believe.
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by cakemanjb October 7, 2008 11:32 PM PDT
McCain didn''t even come close to a game changer , and ( The One ) Comment is going to hurt him a bunch. Also Ben smith has a video of after the debate showing both McCains Refusing to shake Barack and Michelle''s Hands. McCain is DONE.
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by maramara2 October 7, 2008 11:33 PM PDT
Palin said obama was pallin with terrorists when she and her husband were actually carrying out terrorist acts using our money in Alaska.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z
wvPNXYrIyI
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?
v=rnSXGTFQ0Ak
Reply to this comment
by daveminer-2009 October 7, 2008 11:38 PM PDT
My friends, kick the tires on this used car, it was owned by a little old lady who only drove it on sundays, my friends. Heh, heh, heh. Note the earnest tone of my voice my friends. Ignore the reality of my history. My Friends.......
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by guillecara October 7, 2008 11:39 PM PDT
To Motherschild: The abortion issue is obviously important but we need to step back and look at the big picture...depression on horizon with failed Republican policies will kill far more people then abortion.
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by guillecara October 7, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
Yes abortion kills, so does war, people left on rooftops for days, economic crisis, no jobs, rising food prices, wallstreet greed supported by deregulation, etc., etc.
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by eemmer1 October 7, 2008 11:44 PM PDT
I don''t know about anyone else, but when I hear that Obama has connections to anti war radicals, and goes to church, no matter who his pastor is, it tickles me pink. I believe that if a man has a strong sense of self and purpose, as I believe Obama to, the choices others make, or made, and the ideas they espouse, do not make that great of an impact. In fact I would argue that fundamental disagreements make partnerships and friendships more fulfilling when you find something to agree on. Like EDUCATION and PEACE. I find Obama''s "naivete" appealing. Why? Because In my eyes, idealistic naivete is a much better option than the defeatist attitude of those who support the up-keep of the status quo. Things CAN get better people! Also, and this is just me, I don''t appreciate McCain implying that being a war hero makes him qualified to be president. Grant was a war hero. NOT a good president.
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by charleschap October 7, 2008 11:44 PM PDT
I felt sorry for John McCain. He appeared old and desperate like King Lear in his last act!
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by libra127 October 7, 2008 11:44 PM PDT
OMG, Obama so won this debate. It was sooo clear. McCain''s "performance" was so incoherent, lame, and desperate that it was embarrassing to watch him.

How anyone could vote for McCain after watching the debate tonight I simply do not understand.

Obama was consummately Presidential and in command on every issue. Every answer he gave made excellent sense. McCain just looked old, desperate and outclassed. He looked angry, knowing he was outclassed and that he is not going to win the election.
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by oregonmom-2009 October 7, 2008 11:46 PM PDT
Jaque30a -

UNBELIEVABLE! Larry Sinclair, uh, DID take a lie detector test:

"Lie Detector Test
Whitehouse.com (not an official government site) offered to pay Sinclair $10,000 to take a polygraph test, and an additional $100,000 if he passes. Sinclair agreed to the terms and took the test on February 25, 2008. According to reports, a former president of the American Polygraph Association determined that Sinclair''s results indicated "deception," with regard to the drug and *** claims."

Do you read that? It showed ''deception''. Just like the deception people like you use to smear an innocent man.
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by downtowner97 October 7, 2008 11:46 PM PDT
"Fifty-seven percent thought McCain answered the questions that were asked, and an identical though Obama did."

A little copy editing would be good here.
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by allmymarbles October 7, 2008 11:47 PM PDT
I don''t agree that McCain was a war hero. He never risked his life to save anyone. He was captured and tortured. That makes him a victim
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by guillecara October 7, 2008 11:47 PM PDT
McCain is as old as his ideas.
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by rlweisman-2009 October 7, 2008 11:48 PM PDT
Again, Obama was clear and calm and connected well in this format which should have favored McCain. Also -- McCain was brutally insulting when he referred to Senator Obama as "that one". He was also insulting and condescending when he assumed that the questioner "probably never heard about Fannie Mae"
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by eemmer1 October 7, 2008 11:48 PM PDT
McTwoTeeth, you need to stop.
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by charleschap October 7, 2008 11:48 PM PDT
"Electing Republican John McCain would be like asking the iceberg to rescue the Titanic!"
Sen. Hillary Clinton
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by guillecara October 7, 2008 11:49 PM PDT
I have an idea...vote for McCain and further destroy your children''s future in this country. WAY TO GO!!!
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by heuristic1 October 7, 2008 11:50 PM PDT
Obama aced it again. McCain is tired, angry, and desperate. It sure showed tonight.
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by dellie890713 October 7, 2008 11:51 PM PDT
CBS, CNN, ABC, NBC ....SO INCREDIBLY BIASED...AS AN INDEPENDENT, I AM SO APPALLED AT THE MEDIA...THAT ALONE MAKES ME LEAN TOWARD MCCAIN/PALIN, BUT I REMAIN OBJECTIVE...TONIGHT THOUGH, MCCAIN WAS DEFINITELY STRONGER (AS HE ALWAYS IS WITH SUBSTANCE)...OBAMA HAS MORE STYLE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, SO MANY HORRIBLE LEADERS HAVE WON PEOPLE OVER WITH THEIR CHARISMA...I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH HIM.
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by atoh1 October 7, 2008 11:53 PM PDT
I think the most salient points for me today is the discussion on their varying visions for healthcare. Mccain claims Obama healthcare plan aims to nationalize healthcare coverage..while that is partly true, I don''t think it''s such a bad idea. The reason is this, Obama wants to introduce an accessible, fairly priced government subsidized healthcare plans with favorable rules, and standards that will force the rest of the insurance industry to compete with it. People will still be able to choose between private or government options, but the introduction of a government subsidised plan in the market is going to have a game-changing impact. Imagine. If one person sells one apple for a dollar, and everyone else sells apples for $2, people will either only buy apples from the one who sells it more cheaply, or everyone else is going to have to lower their prices or offer better apples. This is going to drive change across the insurance industry. McCain''s healthcare attracts voters with a $5000 tax credit to purchase health insurance, but he fails to mention that he plans to tax health benefits for the first time in history....smart accounting, but it just feels like you are taking money from my left hand to give it to my right.
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by undecided9 October 7, 2008 11:53 PM PDT
You''d have to be whacked out on crack to say that any clear winner came out of tonight''s debate
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by guillecara October 7, 2008 11:54 PM PDT
Sure you remain objective...wink, wink. I have a bridge to sell you.
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by us_4_mccain October 7, 2008 11:54 PM PDT
I have a question about obombas health care plan for EVERYONE, how much will that fine be if you do not have health care for your child? how much will that fine be if you are a business owner and do not provide your employees with health care? Why does obomba believe health care cost for a child is less expensive? You either cover yourself, or cover yourself and family which excludes no one. It is one price for the family plan and a lower price for yourself. So now, it seems obomba is out of touch with the American middle class. ....... McCain won this one!
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by guillecara October 7, 2008 11:55 PM PDT
Obama is smart, accept it!
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by dellie890713 October 7, 2008 11:56 PM PDT
To allmymarbles...

to say that McCain is not a hero says much more about your character than his. Most humans would not be able to endure for even a few days with the torture that he endured. And, to come out and serve selflessly all of these years since when he could have retired to a very comfortable life years ago. Very, very sad ...your opinion on this...You obviously have very little life experience
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by us_4_mccain October 7, 2008 11:56 PM PDT
The media did the same thing in 2004. They had everyone convinced Kerry was going to win. He did not. I do not believe main stream media and their over-voting polls. They are full of people that vote over and over for their pick. Check this one out....they can''t do that here.. http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/10/02/aol-straw-poll-oct-3-10/ AMERICA on line. It has nothing to do with main steam false media polls. You can sign up if you like, but if not click the link to skip it at the bottom of the pop up box. It is all Red but one state, yeah!
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by guillecara October 7, 2008 11:57 PM PDT
There is no fine...HELLO!!!!!
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