Poll: Obama Leads; Interest In Debate High

CBS/NYT Survey Finds Obama Leading McCain By 5 Points With Three In Ten Uncommitted; Majority "Very Likely" To Watch Debate

(CBS)  With 40 days left until the election, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama leads GOP rival John McCain 47 percent to 42 percent among registered voters in a new CBS News/New York Times poll. The five-point difference mirrors the findings in a CBS/NYT poll last week. Likely voters also favor Obama by five points, 48 percent to 43 percent.

Three in ten registered voters say they are uncommitted to a candidate, up from 26 percent last week.

Interest in tomorrow's scheduled first presidential debate is high. Sixty-four percent of registered voters say they are "very likely" to watch the debate, which McCain has proposed delaying so that the candidates can focus on the financial crisis. Obama has said the debate should go on as planned. Less than one in ten registered voters say they are not likely to watch the debate.

The poll was conducted between Sept. 21st and Sept. 24th, largely before McCain proposed delaying the debate and announced that he was suspending his campaign.

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Read The Complete Poll:
The Presidential Race
The Economy
Foreign Policy

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Enthusiasm for both candidates has cooled, though Obama still holds a significant edge over his rival. Fifty-three percent of Obama supporters support the Democratic nominee enthusiastically, down eight points from last week. Thirty-six percent of McCain supporters back their candidate enthusiastically, a drop of 11 points from last week.

Obama leads McCain with women, moderates, Democrats, and younger voters. Sixty-one percent of those who voted for Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary back the Illinois senator, while one in four former Clinton supporters back McCain.

McCain has the edge with men, conservatives, and whites, including white men and white Catholics. The race is even among white women.

Independents now break to the GOP nominee 43 percent to 39 percent. This swing group has lived up to its name: Obama had a five point edge with Independents last week, while McCain was winning their support after the GOP convention.

Though Friday's debate is scheduled to focus on foreign policy, voters appear to be more interested in domestic economic issues. Asked what they hope to learn from the debate, 18 percent said they want to learn about the candidates' plans for the economy; just 4 percent cited the war in Iraq, and even fewer pointed to foreign policy more generally. The top issue cited, at 29 percent, was the all-encompassing "positions on the issues."

Nearly half of uncommitted voters say the debates will have a great deal of influence on their vote in November.

Perception Of The Candidates:

Registered voters are generally more confident in Obama when it comes to handling the economy and McCain when it comes to handling terrorism, though majority of voters are at least somewhat confident in either candidate's abilities to deal with the two issues.

Nonetheless, the poll results when it comes to the economy - overwhelmingly cited as voters' top concern - could portend trouble for the GOP nominee.

Forty-five percent of registered voters are "not confident" in McCain's ability to handle the economy. That's 11 points higher than the 34 percent who are "not confident" in Obama on the economy. Just 17 percent are "very confident" in McCain's ability to handle the economy, 12 points fewer than the 29 percent who are "very confident" in Obama.

McCain holds a clear edge when it comes to terrorism, however. Forty percent of registered voters are "very confident" that he would make the right decisions when it comes to terrorism, 12 points higher than Obama; just 23 percent are "not confident" in McCain on the issue, 14 points fewer than say the same of Obama.

Nearly two-in-three voters worry McCain would be too quick to use military force in dealing with other countries; a slightly higher percentage worry Obama would be too slow to use force.

A majority believe McCain cares more about protecting corporations, while 70 percent say Obama cares more about protecting ordinary people.

McCain is more widely seen as ready to be president, with 62 percent saying the GOP nominee is ready versus 46 percent for Obama. McCain is also seen as more likely to be an effective commander-in-chief.

Obama is more widely perceived as understanding voters' needs and problems - nearly 2 in 3 voters say Obama does so, versus about half for McCain - and as more likely to improve the U.S. image around the world.

Obama's favorable rating now stands at 43 percent, down two points from last week; his unfavorable rating stands at 30 percent, down five points. McCain's favorable rating has slipped six points since last week to 38 percent. His unfavorable rating stands at 35 percent.

Both Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin continue to receive net overall positive ratings, though Palin is more familiar to voters. Biden's favorable rating is 33 percent, down 5 points from last week, while his unfavorable rating is 17 percent; half of those surveyed said they didn't know enough about Biden to have an opinion or were undecided.

Palin's favorable rating is 37 percent, a slight decline from last week, while her unfavorable rating is 29 percent.

Women are split on the Alaska governor, with 34 percent viewing her favorably, 33 percent unfavorably, and the remainder undecided or not sure. Thirty-eight percent of white women have a favorable opinion of Palin, while 45 percent of white women with a college degree have an unfavorable opinion of her.

[dicktracy200]

I am writing this message to inform people of the injustice being perpretrated by Fox News against Barack Obama. For the past two weeks there has been nothing but negative reporting against senator Obama by the Fox News network, which is unfair to listeners and the candidate. This networks seemingly biased opinions are not of interest to us viewers. My concern is that negative reporting like this will influence voters that are undecided of which candidate best express their wishes. I depend on these news stations for fair, accurate and just reporting regardless of the outcome whether it be a debate or any other current event and if that cant be accomplished I feel that it is grounds for that station (Fox News network) to be boycotted until they learn and understand that those types of injustices will not be tolerated. If anyone else can relate to the unfair reporting of Fox News I suggest that you join us in a boycott of this news station. PASS THIS MESSAGE ALONG.

[truthislife1]

If Barack institutes the mandatory draft, I''ll go. I''m 42 and fat, need to work off all those donuts for a good reason.

[sy80]

Has anyone heard that the schools in northern illinois are boycotting & refusing to go to their own schools? Yet Barack keeps saying we need to put more money into education.How about getting rid of some of the worthless teacher that are in charge of these kids. Yes everyone deserves an education but they need to find out what it is that makes 45% of the high schoolers in this nation drop out. Don''''t just keep putting good money into a corrupt system that is going nowhere for the kids.Posted by kimmyjo4



What about the state of Arizona allowing sick perverts to build compounds for polygamist. The women dont even go to school and are pregnant by a 60yr old man before their 14th birthday. Now, that is sick and these men are filthy rich and dont even pay a penny in taxes. They say its a tradition. Sounds like a bunch of conservatives.

[veteran22]

McCain continuously referred to Obama as Naive - but naive is advocating naked aggression in Iraq, alienating every ally we had, toppling Iraq''s government, expecting to be hailed as conquering heroes, have no plans for what is to replace that government, declare the war won, still killing and dying 5 years later, no end in sight, and then proclaim good judgment because a massive influx of troops tamped down the violence a little bit. That''s how I would define naive, no excuse me that is how I define idiocy.

[justtheone]

Is there any in depth coverage around of McCain''s involvement with the Keating 5 and the S&L bailout years ago? If no one''s clearing this up, why the heck are we all excited about McCain''s involvment with the current economic crisis? Any links or leads to stories from major publications I can cross reference?

[deepstorage]

So glad that McCain pointed out that he is now against torture after his backing off andcompromise with Bush. I was a McCain fan until that point in 2006.

[kimmyjo4]

Has anyone wondered why congress has not pushed whatever deal it wants thru when they are the majority and don''t need the republicans for anything.They just don''t want to be the ones that look bad if whatever they decide falls flat. They want the republicans in on it also so if it does go bad they can blame it on them as usual.

[kimmyjo4]

Has anyone heard that the schools in northern illinois are boycotting & refusing to go to their own schools? Yet Barack keeps saying we need to put more money into education.How about getting rid of some of the worthless teacher that are in charge of these kids. Yes everyone deserves an education but they need to find out what it is that makes 45% of the high schoolers in this nation drop out. Don''t just keep putting good money into a corrupt system that is going nowhere for the kids.

[iowa-jay]

Could any McCain-Palin supporter please comment on these videos? Please!

John McCain''s BIG LIES:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c

Then there is unrepentant liar Sarah Palin:
www.youtube.com/watchv=1Tc7BF_Fd7I
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHp5AQiMqew

And, these Alaska Independence Party videos say it all:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmYqRfp6-x8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Re0vmbtHK8

Todd Palin a AIP member 1995-2002. She regularly attends their conventions...this is not just casual support...

Joe Vogler, founder of the AIP once said, "The fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American Government, and I won''''t be buried under their damned flag!" Listen for yourself. See palintruth (dot) org for more. Vogler was killed procuring plastic explosives....

Tim McVeigh would be proud !

McCain accepted the endorsement of anti-Catholic Pastor Hagee, before he rejected it:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qNi7tPanUA

McCain-Palin are nuts !

[babooph]

One time I wished for John instead of George[still feel correct on that],BUT one time I also wanted Bridget Bardot,& now.....

[iowa-jay]

Could any McCain-Palin supporter please comment on these videos? Please!

John McCain''s BIG LIES:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c

Then there is unrepentant liar Palin:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tc7BF_Fd7I
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHp5AQiMqew

And, this Alaska Independence Party video says it all:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmYqRfp6-x8

More Palin AIP video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Re0vmbtHK8

Todd Palin a AIP member 1995-2002. She regularly attends their conventions...this is not just casual support...

Joe Vogler, founder of the AIP once said, "The fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American Government, and I won''t be buried under their damned flag!" Listen for yourself. See palintruth (dot) org for more. Vogler was killed procuring plastic explosives....

Tim McVeigh would be proud !

McCain accepted the endorsement of anti-Catholic Pastor Hagee, before he rejected it:

Listen to this -- shocking !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qNi7tPanUA

McCain-Palin are nuts !

[kenwonobi]

Obama wins the debates because Mc Cain couldnt prove that Obama wasnt ready to be President and he clearly showed Mc Cain he is. That is all Obama had to do to beat Mc Cain because that is all people question about him for being hesitant not to vote for him. Now some say he bested Mc Cain in the debates. Some say it was even and when it is even it means Mc Cain lost because Obama proved he could stand up to his experience factor to be President. Now there is no reason not to vote for him unless you are a conservative, racist, or a depression era loving billionare who profits from the trickle down economy of Republicans.

[rss21]

For Obama to say that he wants to talk to some Muslim extremist without a pre-condition sounds naive on several levels. One is being he does not understand that these extremist do not listen to reasoning or diplomacy.
Then Obama contradicts himself by saying that if Pakistan does not listen then he will take them out. This shows his very little knowledge about that part of the world. He does not understand Pakistan''s current or previous condition. I wonder how much world knowledge he has when it comes to Islam and these extremist. Without understanding their culture and way of life, one cannot make a sustainable change.
Obama has no military experience and you want to leave our foreign policy decisions to him - who wants to make peace with his speech with those people who do not care to listen?

[rss21]

If you are questioning Palin''s experience as 2nd in command then you also need to question Obama''s limited experience to be 1st in command.

It is about time we see a woman help make the decisions. Most of you have a problem with Palin because she is a woman. I bet that you guys are the same bunch who did not vote for Hilary Clinton.

[rss21]

Paline is doing the right thing and saving her speech for when it is her turn.

Biden looks like a cheer leader and yes man to Obama. Obama could not say anything to save himself in this debate so he needed a more mature person to cheer him on. Where as McCain held his own and did not need need 2nd in command to validate his speech.

[iowa-jay]

Could any McCain-Palin supporter please comment on these videos? Please!

John McCain''s BIG LIES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c

Then there is Palin. This Alaska Independence Party video says it all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmYqRfp6-x8

Todd Palin a member 1995-2002. She regularly attends their conventions...

Joe Vogler, founder of the AIP once said, "The fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American Government, and I won''t be buried under their damned flag!" Listen for yourself. See palintruth (dot) org for more. Vogler was killed procuring plastic explosives....

Tim McVeigh would be proud !

McCain accepted the endorsement of Pastor Hagee, before he rejected it:

Listen to this -- shocking !

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=4qNi7tPanUA&feature=related

McCain - Palin are nuts !!!

[kimmyjo4]

to maof4brats where did you read anything about torture? I just think Barack Hussien Obama associates with too many shady people in Illinois. And people should be prudent & use their computers to find out more about them.Then ask yourself what kind of people would it be that he puts in power with him if he became prez

[leftyintexas]

Palin is a no show because she is too stupid to answer simple questions that she should be able to handle as an ''experienced politician.'' She will go back to being the ''hockey mom'' she always was after the elections.

[leftyintexas]

McCain''s only hope is that ALL the old white conservative men show up at the polls on election day, then he might stand a slim chance. I doubt it.

[rosesmarket]

Where is Sarah Palin???
Following the debate, I saw Joe Biden speak on each of the networks after the debate. It was reported McCain refused to have her speak to the news organizations after the debate. Each said Sarah Palin refused to take advantage of this golden opportunity to reinforce the message conveyed by McCain.

Why wouldn''t you take advantage of this opportunity? If she is not competent enough to speak before the media, she certainly is not competent to be second in command of this country.

I am sure that during her debate, she will be scripted, but her lack of visibilty says more than her scripted words will.

In watching the debate, I thought the differences of the candidates positions came out clearly with respect to foreign policy. I been actively involved in global business for the last 15 years, and have never seen America, which I consider the greatest nation in the world, viewed so poorly outside the US. It is clear that Obama will give us the only chance to be recognized as a great country again. McCain''s foreign policy tactics will keep us down the same path while Obamas understanding of strategic relationships are open an not fixed to new ideas.