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.

---

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

---

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.

[ibzjem]

Bring on the debate. There''s no time to wait. Don''t prolong the inevitable.

[change081]

Just found out that Obama is now under investigation by the Illinois State Attorney General for misspending $100,000. Allot of which went to the wife of a campaign volunteer.

Then I find out that Clinton is defending McCain for missing the debate and going back to Washington.

I have been a democrat for a very long time but I have had it. I think they both ought to be removed from running.

[sallievoter]

the debate is a no-brainer. FOX radio says the same---mccain can use satellite link to attend. There is NO reason for him to duck out of this.

If Mccain does not show, it should be a 90 minute OBAMA show. Obama''s supporters are lobbying for this including me.....if mccain is afraid to come, then let him hide out in DC with Bush.

this debate has been funded with $4 MILLION OF PRIVATE DONATIONS----OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE WANT IT.

WHY DOES MCCAIN THINK HE GETS TO BE THE BOSS OF THIS? HE IS CERTAINLY THE ONLY ONE WHO IS AFRAID OF IT.

[tcoleman12]

Interest is high on the debate because Obama has avoided facing McCain for so long the public is curious how he will do do without the media covering for him...

[sallievoter]

be sure to see palin with the kenya witch doctor---it is on video on youtube and many networks tonight----including FOX NEWS----she is getting "blessed" by this witch doctor guy and it is really scary.....
no kidding go look.....it is also in the Anchorage Daily news and they''re not very happy about the gov right now......are all hockey moms into this kind of weird stuff?

[sallievoter]

GOP---ya''ll might want to think about getting mccain to get to the debate....even by SATELLITE....CELL PHONE ...WHATEVER. People are getting really mad about his attempt to skip it...

if he doesn''t come, Obama gets and hour and 30 minutes FREE...and according to the polls, the majority is good with that too.

so if mccain skips out to go to the country club in DC for dinner on Friday night, it is okay.

[danstoned]

Palin the Pathetic
McCain the Pathological Liar

Worst GOP ticket in any of our lifetimes!

[david1737]

McCain quote:

"I don''t know how the economy works"

[wilder5121]

McCain and Palin have achieved the impossible. They make Bush Junior look competent.

[wogerwabbit]

Palin for president! That old geezer''s gonna kick off anyway. Let''s turn America into a theocracy and we''ll all live happily ever after.

[timothyone-2009]

Obama made the $100,000 GRANT while in the Ill. state legislature where all grants are reviewed and approved by both parties. The money was misspent by the grantee, not Obama. Obama had nothing to do with what was done with the money once the grant was made. Would you think it prudent to criminally investigate the Pell Grant program every time a student spent their grant money on beer?

[wogerwabbit]

Posted by usapride70 at 07:13 PM : Sep 25, 2008

hear hear! Let''s keep it civil if we can.

[babooph]

Go easy on John -still a great guy-his age slows him down-that is quite normal-his health -understandable for the life he has led-HE BETTER STAY ALIVE THOUGH !!

[nodnylx]

The pathetic and crude language, lack of knowledge, and pure stupidity of your answers reveal the low level of watchers of CBS News. CBS seems to make up polls daily to make it appear that obama is ahead. CBS is the most liberal, socialist news service in this country, and I truly believe they would make up anything to destroy our way of life if it got obama elected. Obama is a threat to our country, not a usual crooked democrat candidate such as Biden or Frank. The interview with Sarah Palin was a setup and Sarah was very brave to even do it. Obama thinks so little of his (nay, our) country that he would not delay a debate a few days to help solve a major problem totally caused by democrats starting back with Bill Clinton and his cronies. You are the traitors, not John McCain!

[atoh1]

John McCain has NOT suspended his campaign - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/25/mccain-campaign-still-act_n_129327.html

there is another story on the AP about this.

[lewiston14]

The debate must go on as to give the people of the US a more informed base to vote who they have to live with for the next 4 years.

None of the above 08

[expatriate3]

There is a consensus on the bailout so why the McCain stalling routine? Anyone who would select Palin as a person one breath away from the presidency doesn''t deserve mine or anyone else''s vote. All we see here is a Bush clone with the same middle finger mentality naming a running mate who can keep up the Bush tradition of corruption.

[skysoldier75]

If John McCain truly believed that the debates would enhance his image and help him win this election, he would be there.

The fact that he''s now trying his best to dodge those debates tells us that he knows that they are not going to help him - but that they''ll hurt him instead.

Whether McCain shows up for the debates or not, Obama wins.

[glenda743]

The Anti-Christ will be a man, in his 40''s, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal....the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything.

[oly_joe]

A lot of people are not to happy with any of these guys right now!

[stn_sage]

If John McCain truly believed that the debates would enhance his image and help him win this election, he would be there.

The fact that he''''s now trying his best to dodge those debates tells us that he knows that they are not going to help him - but that they''''ll hurt him instead....

Posted by SkySoldier75 at 07:44 PM : Sep 25, 2008
--------------------
You ''hit the nail on the head'' with these two statements! YOU are EXACTLY correct about this!

He would only look bad in this debate, so he''s not going! He''d rather go A.W.O.L.!

It remains to be seen if he''ll show up for any of them! What''s most important IS: he''s shown the public that he WON''T keep his word, OR his COMMITMENTS!
We needed to know that, NOW we DO!

[kansas1946]

The Anti-Christ will be a man, in his 40''''s, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal....the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by glenda743 at 07:44 PM : Sep 25, 2008
********************************************

LOL. You folks are wearing out the anti-Christ thing. When Bill Clinton ran, I heard some folks suggest he was the anti-Christ. In 2000 Jerry Falwell commented that John McCain might be the anti-Christ, while meanwhile Pat Robertson was calling the Pope the anti-Christ. For two-thousand years folks have been accusing various people of being the anti-Christ. It is really getting boring and tiresome.

[heartlandjim]

Dale Earnhardt put it so well a few years back. Lead, follow or get out of the way. Obama is leading in this mess and McCain needs to quit playing games slowing things down and get out of the way. My mind is made up. I''m voting for Obama!!

[lewiston14]

"A lot of people are not to happy with any of these guys right now!"

Posted by oly_joe

Why should they be your about to eat 700 billion in bad debt

[aeasus]

Banking Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said, "It was a photo op for John McCain. ... It was a rescue plan for John McCain."

[grad2009]

The fact that McCain is willing to postpone the debate to work on our economic crisis shows that he is the better candidate. If the man is willing to cancel everything for the better of the country, then I say vote for that man. We need someone concerned with our well being more than with their apperance. If obama would rather neglect his duty as senator and have this debate, what is he going to do in office? I think that if we look at this subjectivly, we can make the decision of who the better candidate is. A lot of people are arguing that "I am tired of republicans being in office". That is a terrible reason to vote for a president. You should vote the person into office based on commitment to the country, their stands, and what they are proposing to do. It also has a lot to do with experience and this shows it. If Obama had the necessary experience he would be willing to postpone the debate.

[cyndilu9]

Poor McCain - looking for a delay tactic. This was not the right one. Bring on the Debate! I admire Obama''s stance on this. He isn''t hiding....I like that.

[txgrouch2006]

All I know is presidents used to take responsibility when they screw the economy up
Posted by McTwoteeth at 07:45 PM : Sep 25, 2008

You mean, like Clinton taking responsibililty for signing the 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley banking deregulation act, which CAUSED the problems we have now?

Why didn''t he veto it? If he veto was overridden, he would be able to say he tried to stop it, it was passed over his objections.

BUSH IS TO BLAME
AND CLINTON IS TO BLAME
AND BUSH IS TO BLAME
AND CLINTON IS TO BLAME
AND BUSH IS TO BLAME

Now watch them say I''m blaming only Clinton...

[kazoodan]

You are the traitors, not John McCain!

Posted by nodnylx at 07:19 PM : Sep 25, 2008

You''re living in la la land.

[aeasus]

grad2009,

You have to be dillusional to think a president should only handle 1 issue at a time.
The facts are congress was just 1 issue from finalizing the bill (bankruptcy being the last issue) until McCain stepped into a commity he never was even part of his entire time in congress.

He threw a monkey wrench into the works by saying the holdings assets should go to Wall Street instead of taxpayers. He''s an IDIOT!!!

[nulook23-2009]

McCain''s poll #s are dropping flies.

[cattlekate]

Why can''t Palin debate Obama if McCain has business to attend to? (Like giving away $3,000 per US citizen to prop up Bernake/Cox/Paulsen et al?)

And why can''t Paulsen give up the $100,000,000 he got from Goldman?

[dinslc]

I''d like to see a poll where they ask Hillary Clinton''s supporters- those who are voting for McCain now- if they were registered as Republican or Democrats PRIOR to the dem primaries.

I remember the Hillary campaign bragging that they''d get alot of Republican women voting for her. If that were true, it would make sense that those women would vote for the republican ticket- now that Hillary isn''t running.

In other words, how do we know that the former Hillary voters- who now support McCain- are even democrats or not?

[jmurrieta11]

The debates will be on TV. If McClone can''t be bothered to show up, it will be a fine opportunity for Obama to give a speech.

1:10 McClone will find a way to interrupt his busy schedule of meeting with the Baroness Rothschild to participate.

Otherwise, he might as well throw in the towel right now.

It''s that simple.

[ohmichael]

i guess someone is still thinking of voting for john? jees, ithought the anticrist was osama? i think you need to put that antibs whewe the sun can''t see it, and admit to good old fashioned race fears kind of like colorphobia!

[ohmichael]

women sre still split? now there''s a sexest comment, and you got a colum? i guess cause you can spell better than me.

[ohmichael]

if this is false media, what are you doing with your nose stuck in it? oh, enlighting the rest of us misguided souls! thank you!

[grad2009]

grad2009,

You have to be dillusional to think a president should only handle 1 issue at a time.
The facts are congress was just 1 issue from finalizing the bill (bankruptcy being the last issue) until McCain stepped into a commity he never was even part of his entire time in congress.

He threw a monkey wrench into the works by saying the holdings assets should go to Wall Street instead of taxpayers. He''''s an IDIOT!!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by aeasus at 08:30 PM : Sep 25, 2008


Did I say he should only handle one issue? No. What I am saying is that he is doing something that is going to help out the country and our economic problems. Personally, I have noticed the problems. Maybe you have been living in a closet or something, but I am sure that this is a major issue. All of our senators need to be working on this together to save our country. I personally do not want to be here if our economy fails. At least McCain is more interested in our future that about the Here and now aspect of life. The debate can wait. It will happen. McCain isn''t planning a way to buy time. He is CONCERNED about our nation.

[martin9p2]

I am prety sure McCain''s suspended campaign will be hard to re-start, and that Sarah will be a no-show at her debate with Joe Biden (not wanting Biden to score a KO in the first round), ... and that it''s down hill from here for the McCain-Palin ticket.

[mominmaine]

The guy lied to David Letterman saying he could not do the interview he had committed to because he was about to board a plane to Washington...then he shows up down the hall doing this CBS interview. Bad enough that he should lie at all, but it seems Rove has conditioned McBush to lie as first option. This is absurd. This man has no integrity.

[prudentvoter]

I can''t believe McCain is trying to pull this off. He can''t attend a debate because he is too busy trying to scare the American people into giving his buds $700 billion. He is ether very stupid or he thinks the American people are very stupid. Just another Bush.

[benighse]

Does McCain have another recurring health problem that he''s hiding??? (Did you see the newly droppy left eye today!)....He''s having flashbacks and flameouts from PTSD. He doesn''t know where he''s been or when he''s been there, or where he''s going or how he''''ll get there, unless his spouse is holding his hand or Lieberman is whispering to him.....And now even Palin''s anti-dote to witchcraft isn''t helping....He''s tried a ouiji board and sticking voodoo pins into his Obama doll, and nothing seems to work....His heart murmur is telling him he''''s erratic and an exorcism can''''t be far behind...AND PALIN IS WAITING IN THE WINGS---NO THANKS!!!

[copyat5]

If McCain can attack Sen. Obama is TV ads I can''t understand why he does not want to debate him.

This maybe a blessing in disguise though. He may decide to "suspend" his run for the White House so Obama can go directly to the Oval Office and start to clean up the mess that will be waiting for him.

Go back to Arizona McCain. America needs a change and we can''t wait another minute. Choice one of your 7 mansions and go shopping with your rich wife the next time she buys a $300,000 dress.

America is hurting and we need help. We need Obama.

[jgunther7]

Wow, after all this and there are people dumb enough to still be supporting McCain for president. What is going wrong with our country?

[txgrouch2006]

But look at the 2 choices we have for president. This country has gone down the sh*tter. This is the best we have to offer? We are in deep doo doo!
Posted by funzie50 at 09:30 PM : Sep 25, 2008

Our nation has become unleadable. No qualified leader wants to waste part of his life trying to lead the unleadable.

So this is what we get. Whatever gets sucked into the vacuum left behind.

[txgrouch2006]

Wow, after all this and there are people dumb enough to still be supporting McCain for president.
Posted by jgunther7 at 09:36 PM : Sep 25, 2008

They''re just as stupid as the persons who STILL defend Clinton and deny that he''s to blame for signing the 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley banking deregulation bill that led to the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression.

BUSH IS TO BLAME
AND CLINTON IS TO BLAME
AND BUSH IS TO BLAME
AND CLINTON IS TO BLAME
AND BUSH IS TO BLAME

But there are STILL some die-hards who refuse to admit BOTH sides are to blame.

[thegoodtexan]

copyat5, you are on the right track. If Bush/Cheney would resign, this whole phoney bank run problem could be cleared up in a matter of hours. Within months we could clear up the Iraq and Afghanistan problem.

[cpelzar--2008]

I cannot believe any thinking person would actually vote for Obama.

In fact I do not believe it. This election will not be close, false polling data will reveal that the opposition to a foreign born liberal from Chicago who is actually Muslim but professes his Christian beliefs in a church that condemns the United States is very high. Not that the NY TImes or CBS will ever really report that.

Not a shot in hell.

[cpelzar--2008]

I cannot believe any thinking person would actually vote for Obama.

In fact I do not believe it. This election will not be close, false polling data will reveal that the opposition to a foreign born liberal from Chicago who is actually Muslim but professes his Christian beliefs in a church that condemns the United States is very high. Not that the NY TImes or CBS will ever really report that.

Not a shot in hell.

[cpelzar--2008]

I cannot believe any thinking person would actually vote for Obama.

In fact I do not believe it. This election will not be close, false polling data will reveal that the opposition to a foreign born liberal from Chicago who is actually Muslim but professes his Christian beliefs in a church that condemns the United States is very high. Not that the NY TImes or CBS will ever really report that.

Not a shot in hell.