CBS Poll: Uncommitted Voters Favor Obama

Forty Percent Give Edge To Obama, 26 To McCain And 34 Percent Say It Was A Tie

(CBS)  Uncommitted voters named Barack Obama as the winner of the second presidential debate as well, according to a CBS News/Knowledge Networks poll.

Immediately after the debate, CBS News interviewed a nationally representative sample of 516 debate watchers assembled by Knowledge Networks who were "uncommitted voters" - voters who are either undecided about who to vote for or who say they could still change their minds. Forty percent of these uncommitted debate watchers said Obama won the debate, 26 percent said John McCain won, and another 34 percent thought it was a tie.

In a similar poll conducted after the first debate, uncommitted voters also thought Obama was the winner.

The economy is now the most pressing national issue, and the first hour of the debate focused on economic questions. Uncommitted debate watchers see Obama the clear winner on handling the economy -- not only were his ratings on this issue higher than McCain's after the debate, but Obama also gained more from the debate on this issue.

Before the debate, 55 percent thought Obama would make the right decisions about the economy -- that rose to 68 percent after the debate. Before the debate, 41 percent of uncommitted voters thought McCain would make the right decisions about the economy -- his rating on this measure increased to 48 percent after the debate.

The town hall format of this debate provided the candidates with an opportunity to connect with voters, and Obama was viewed as doing a much better job at that than McCain did. After the debate, nearly twice as many said Obama understood their needs as said McCain did. Both before and after the debate, majorities of uncommitted voters felt that Obama understands their needs and problems. And Obama rose far more than McCain did on this measure.

But when it came to the war in Iraq, which some voters asked about during the debate, McCain was the stronger candidate -- an advantage that has been consistent in CBS News Polls for many months. Before the debate, 55 percent of uncommitted voters said that McCain would make the right decisions about the war -- that rose to 61 percent after the debate. Less than half thought Obama would make the right decisions on Iraq.

Asked what they learned from the debate, many of those who thought Obama won volunteered that Obama was knowledgeable and specific on the issues - some mentioned his understanding of foreign policy, health care, and country's energy needs. Many felt that McCain was short on specifics, and was more negative and angry.

Voters who thought McCain won the debate said he was more candid and passionate. They felt that Obama didn’t give direct answers, and that McCain was more to the point.

About one in three watchers said they learned nothing from the debate.

McCain and Obama continue to have very different strengths. Uncommitted voters who watched the debate saw McCain as more prepared to be president. Seventy-seven percent said that about McCain before the debate and that rose to 82 percent after the debate. As for Obama, 42 percent said that before the debate and 58 percent said so afterwards.

However, Obama is seen as the better candidate on bringing about change. Fifty-one percent said that before the debate, and 63 percent said so afterwards. Thirty-eight percent said McCain would bring real change after the debate, compared to 23 percent beforehand.

The town hall format of the debate allowed voters to ask questions of the candidates directly, but many uncommitted voters watching the debate weren't entirely satisfied with the candidates' responsiveness.

More than four in 10 uncommitted voters thought each candidate sidestepped some of the issues voters raised at the debate. Forty-two percent thought Obama did not answer the questions he was asked, 43 percent said that about McCain. But 57 percent thought each candidate answered the questions put to him.

Forty-two percent of those uncommitted voters who watched the debate said that their image of Obama changed for the better as a result. Just 13 percent say their opinion of Obama got worse, and 45 percent reported no change in their opinions.

McCain's image also improved - 32 percent said their image of him improved as a result of the debate, but 16 percent said their views of him are now worse than before.

Ultimately, few uncommitted voters' minds were made up as a result of this debate, according to the poll. Immediately after the debate, 15 percent of them said they are now committed to Obama, and 12 percent are now committed to McCain. But most - 72 percent - remain uncommitted.

Read the complete poll (PDF)

---

This CBS News poll was conducted online by Knowledge Networks among a nationwide random sample of 516 uncommitted voters - voters who don’t yet know who they will vote for, or who have chosen a candidate but may still change their minds - who have agreed to watch the debate. Knowledge Networks, a market and public policy research firm based in Menlo Park, CA, conducted the web poll among a sample of adult members of its panel, who are provided web access if they don't already have it. More technical information is available at http://www.knowledgenetworks.com/ganp/reviewer-info.html.

This is a scientifically representative poll of uncommitted voters’ reaction to the presidential debate. The margin of sampling error could be plus or minus 4 percentage points for results based on the entire sample.

[smurfcrusher]

Game over man, game OVER!

[abmitus]

Funny to me how ALL major news oullets are syaing that Obama wont the debate except FOX. What''s really going on?

[repub4you001]

I''''m a white, conservative, right wing, christian Republican. I''''m voting for John McCain. Maybe you should too.
Reasons NOT to vote for Obama
1) Rezko
2) Muslim?
3) Wright
4) Ayers
5) He never ever served in the military
6) Biden a nut job?
7) Country is not ready for a black President

Please VOTE for John McCain and Sarah Palin. Thank You.

[kenwonobi]

Obama won both debates and the VP debate what is the hold up? It is clear who is the better candidate now. Obama not only isnt the next Bush and a change he is the natter candidate and so is his VP. Mc Cain cant even tie in the next debate. Obama already beat him twice and his VP trounced Mc Cains. It should be a no brainer.

[dburfears]

Little by little, Americans are getting comfortable with Obama.

Little by little, Americans are starting to understand how unstable and dishonorable McCain has become.

[shanghairen-2009]

Something people don''t seem to be taking into account here is the fact that most Americans are so small minded and self-obsessed that this group of "uncommitted" voters may very well be lying just for the opportunity to stay on the Tee Vee. These very unscientific polls should not be trusted or touted the way the are.

[latinvoter]

Republicans always accuse the democrats of always increasing taxes. So this is what I understand: Bush has given wallstreet $ 750 billion @ taxpayers expense. That means we will end up paying more taxes. I will surely vote democrat.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by repub4you001 at 02:11 AM

And Jesus never served in the military either. I guess you don''t want to be a Christian anymore.

[samthetvcat]

---"some mentioned his understanding of . . . country''s energy needs"---

You know what makes me panic is that he was talking about Putin''s newfound global power arising from Russia''s energy resources, but Barack''s energy plan doesn''t say anything about expanding nuclear energy.

If you KNOW global power is now somewhat tied to a country''s energy base, then why wouldn''t you then feel the need to do anything and everything you can to maximize your country''s energy base?

It''s like he''s just paying lip service to the concerns others have raised :(

repub4you001 at 02:11 AM : Oct 08, 2008 wrote:

"I''m a white, conservative, right wing, christian Republican. I''m voting for John McCain. Maybe you should too.
Reasons NOT to vote for Obama
1) Rezko
2) Muslim?
3) Wright
4) Ayers
5) He never ever served in the military
6) Biden a nut job?
7) Country is not ready for a black President

Please VOTE for John McCain and Sarah Palin. Thank You."

No, what you are is a racist moron who needs to get a clue.

Regardless, all of the above can be summed up with two major points:

1. McCain has a LOT of skeletons in his closet (adulterer, corruption, mixing with the mafia, mixing with neo-nazis, extremists and terrorists involved with the U.S. Council for World Freedom and plenty more).

2. Palin is - quite simply - a complete and utter moron.

End of story

[brownpride46]

I predict Obama will win the Presidency. American culture is trusting/open/accepting. We believe in tolerance/political correctness/ appeasement. BUT

Since no weapons of mass destruction were found my new mantra is:

TRUST, BUT VERIFY.

But no one has time anymore, just trust what the 5 media conglomerates want you to believe.

Google: mccain crimes, mccain terrorist, mccain caliph, mccain anti-american

Google: obama crimes, obama terrorist, obama taqiyya, obama anti-american

See for yourself.

Trust your judgement.

"Perform thorough background checks and deny government positions and security clearances to Muslim activists."--Brigitte Gabriel (Her once-Christian country of Lebanon is now ISLAMIC)

I just want to see Obama''s original birth certificate as part of my due diligence. Federal Judge Surrick will decide case 08cv4083.

It''s too much trouble for Obama to phone and sign a release form from Dept Vital Statistics in Hawaii to provide IRREFUTABLE PROOF that he is natural born.

[kenwonobi]

Obama/Biden 3-0 and the next one doesnt count when you lost 3-0. It is a no contest. The supposed most experienced candidate couldnt even beat the supposed inexperienced man nor could his VP selection in a debate on issues and policies in a town hall format. Game over is what that means. Obama Biden wins the Presidency when the majority who should stay vigilant and cast their votes to make sure the best candidate in Obama gets his shot to turn this thing around and show the world how truely great and free our society can be. Where a young man or woman of any background and race if they are right for the job and qualified can reach their highest aspirations. On November 4th make the dream come true and the world will feel a new sort of respect and power being restored in our standing all at once with one vote. Obama.

[brownpride46]

Dear Acbasutro,

I agree, Obama will win. Not because of the debates; because AMERICANS embrace religious diversity/tolerance/multi-culturalism/political correctness.

Also, McCain has PLENTY of SKELETONs in his closet. But he did come from a US MILITARY family.

Obama''s mother was a radical activist and converted to ISLAM. (for fun--Youtube: manning bristol palin)

Obama''s highschool mentor, Frank M. Davis was a COMMUNIST. (Incidentally, Russia is expected to become 50% Muslim by mid-century).

Dr. Khalid Al Mansour ''sponsored'' Obama''s Harvard Education and Autobiography "Dreams of my father" (It has 44 lies--1st LIE--Obama''s MUSLIM father was an official for the Kenyan government;NOT A GOAT HERDER)

"CAIR''s agenda from the start is to Islamize America"-Brigitte Gabriel.

Funny. One of the lawyers defending Obama in the Berg Lawsuit 08cv4083 has ties to CAIR.

With plenty of anti-american sentiment/folks surrounding Obama, why won''t he make a phone call to Hawaii''s Dept Vital Stats to release his original birth certificate to IRREFUTABLY PROVE his claim to be a natural born AMERICAN.

TRUST, BUT VERIFY.

DUE DILIGENCE.

One more thing, Senator. I TRUST you when you say there are 57 states in the USA, but I VERIFIED that there are 50.

However, there are 57 STATES OF ISLAM.

[brownpride46]

Dear McDazz,

Sorry, I didn''t footnote your comment re: McCain''s Skeletons. Adultery, Keating 5, Gordon Liddy, etc.

Obama will win the election. No doubt.

Think about this:

TRUST, BUT VERIFY

America will elect him although it UNCONSTITUTIONAL. His eligibility is in contention. He is NOT A NATURAL BORN AMERICAN.

But Federal Judge Surrick will be the final word on case Berg vs Obama 08cv4083.

Let''s vote him in anyway. We''ll make an exception for him. He''s so exceptional.

TRUST, BUT VERIFY.

I TRUST Ahmadinejad''s "vision" (at the U.N. in N.Y. last September) of a personal role in ushering the return of the SHIITE MUSLIM MESSIAH. I want to VERIFY Barack (=blessed) Hussein Obama''s original birth certificate to prove it''s not him.

On public record, Obama will say bad things about Sunni''s BUT NEVER SHIITES!

[ramos937]

I watched the entire debate. I concerned myself with the body language and speech of both men. Obama was cool and collected and even when he muffed an line, he recovered nicely. McCain had a slight tic in his hands, repeated lines, seemed tired and gave me concern for his physical health. How can he stand up to the demands of the Presidency?

[kenwonobi]

brownpride46 I dont need to verify a senators background running for the President of the United States of America because although your assertions of muslim and terrorist ties are grounded in some form of information provided from unknown sources themselves it doesnt sway my opinion in so much as the CIA, FBI, NSA, and whoever has the interest of the American public surely would have something on the two candidates running in the highest office of our country with the greatest measure of our security at risk. With such truthful knowledge and apparently out in the open that most Republicans would like to make about Mr. Obama. My question to them is this. Why would these agencies not know of these two open public figures with all of those supposed facts for all to see and find? Why would the CIA, FBI, NSA, congress, local police, news reporters, the man on the corner of the street with an ipod forget to accuse Obama or stop him from being our President if any of your theories held any water of seedy terrorist ties with Bush running the office and looking for terrorists with all their new government entities that suspend our rights to go after them??????????????????????????? So now Republicans again tell me how does this HUGE oversight get left out when you are calling Mr Obama a terrorist with terrorist friends and muslim ties when W. Bush would surely fry him with his agencies at his disposal to get his GOp mate elected if such evidence EVER? Existed?

Someone needs to take the keys from McCain and get him to a nursing home

[babooph]

John does great for his age,but a platform of endless wars & massive tax cuts for the rich is a very tough sell-only the die hard brainwashed Bush voters can stomach that now.

[wntrpls]

How about OBAMAGATE.

I dont care who won the debate. I was one month ago going to vote for Obama. And then saw an Ad on Obama and Ayers. So I decided to investigate and what I found appalled me. I cannot beleive people are thinking of Voting for Obama when there is a dangerous pattern.

1.Obama and Bill Ayers Annenberg Challenge Coverup
2.Obama and Alwadi, a palestine terrorist
3.Obama and Rev Wright
4.OBama and the socialist demcratic association
5.Obama and Acorn
6.Obmaa and Rev Flaggert
7.Hamas donated 30k to Obama
8.International Solidarity Movement
9.Wheels of Justice
10.Rezko
11.And now ACORN to the list of Obama radical associations


Take all of Obama associates and his comments he has made and ill sum up Obama.

Obama is the most left wing radical terrorist sympathizer who is pro-muslim and anti-Isreal. Obama is pro-black. Obama is arrogant, lies and throws people under the bus to pursue power. Obama is dangerous for this country. In a post 911 World , I dont understand how the Main Stream Media is not reporting or investigating Obama background. CAN anyone name a person in the past besides Michelle, Rev WRight, BIll AYers, Rezko who can VOUCH for Obama.

[mydogdylan6]

Spending Freeze = $300 BILLION additional tax dollars to buy bad mortgages?

Apparently McCain''s version of "change" is to change the meaning of words.

McCain wants the government to spend $300 BILLION more buying loans and Pubs will still try to label Obama a socialist? Too funny!

[bitinnails]

At this point, it doesn''t matter who won. America is screwed.

[vet_sk]

John like his running mate Sarah are not even serious players. They both try to joke in this time of national - heck worldwide meltdown. What''s up with that? These are serious times. I am glad the dems put up some of the smartests people we had in a long time.

[armydog2]

Body language and composure defined this debate. Mccain seemed tired and not very presidential. Obama was cool calm and collected and appeared very presidential.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08 the only logical choice for our Country.

[abbe91]

"The rumors is that Joe Biden knows that Obama is gay and has the proof, and waiting until after the election and then let the right people start things rolling so Obama will have to do as some senators have done, resign and then Biden moves in. Joe is smarter than I thought.

Posted by archibunker2 at 07:17 AM : Oct 08, 2008"

Then Cheney would be president, already.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/04/25/national/25bush.jpg

[r9119111]

The rumors is that Joe Biden knows that Obama is gay and has the proof, and waiting until after the election and then let the right people start things rolling so Obama will have to do as some senators have done, resign and then Biden moves in. Joe is smarter than I thought.

Posted by archibunker2 at 07:17 AM : Oct 08, 2008

Why would you want to spread a rumor like this? Are you some kind of a pervert?

[jab232]

Honestly, the debates didn''t matter much. Retirees lost two trillion dollars in the value of their retirement funds in the last two weeks. That matters. Three quarters of a million people lost jobs in the last nine months, and several of the small manufactures in our small area announced layoffs yesterday. That matters. Hearings this week revealed that Lehman''s CEO got somewhere between 350-480 million dollars from the company he bankrupted while ordinary people were losing jobs, homes, pensions, health care, retirement funds and paying the highest inflation in 27 years. That matters. John McCain''s own adviser Carly Fiornia got a 40 million dollar golden parachute at HP and all she really did was lay off 18,000 workers. That matters. McCain expedited foreign companies like DHL taking over American companies and laying off thousands of American workers. That matters. "Deregulate at any cost" John McCain and the lobbyists who run his campaign pulled the wool over ordinary people''s eyes for years. They created an environment where the rich got richer and the middle class tanked. But now events have made it clear to all of us. We need a change, and that change is not "deregulate at any cost" John McCain.

[heartlandjim]

Another cool and smooth performance by Obama. He will be the leader we need to turn the economy around!!

[oleander8]

McCain looked incredibly old - like he can hardly walk or move his arms. TV is a bad visual for him. His "my friends" addressing of the audience got to be patronizing.

[oleander8]

To: Posted by r9119111

Don''t repost what that idiot archibunker2 says...let it fall off the end and disappear forever.

[rwassel]

bob5ford - Stop lying. Just stop it. It is a PROVEN fact that almost 95% of small business owners make LESS than $250K.

People aren''t buying the lies anymore.

[irmcvet97]

I hope everyone enjoys replaying the debates next year when most small business either lay off or just close. It will be nice to watch "president" Obama win a debate while you lose your home and everything else because his policies caused your boss to close his/her business. Remember, most successful small business owners are in the group ($250,000.00 plus income) that Obama wants to tax more.

Posted by bob5ford at 07:58 AM : Oct 08, 2008


LOL Well we can continue to try to make "Trickle Down" work and EVERYONE will be out of a Job! Don''t you think your childish attempts to distort and scare is failing? I mean American''s are TIRED of this "Don''t vote for the ones who want to change things" tactic... ESPECIALLY when those who don''t want to change things have failed so badly.

Posted by Truthhonor Obama sounded presidential. Obama looked presidential.---------------------------

Way to go. Lets all vote for the guy that looks like a President even if he is not Presidential material and has no experience.

[rosesnpearls]

Yea, these people who claim to have been unable to make a decision about a candidate after all of this time are reliable sources. After the VP debate last week, they claimed Biden won, yet McCain has closed the gap some. These undecided voters are probably hybrid-driving yuppie elitists posturing for the attention. People who have actually studied the issues that are important to them have already made a decision to an election this important. Those standing on the side whining about being undecided are full of you know what.

[jackp32]

Obama looks like an idiot, sounds like one, and wears an empty suit.

[omega40]

There is nothing presidential about John "McNasty" McCain. He is no statesman. He''''s more like the unhinged old uncle that you avoid at Christmastime.

Posted by whatithink1

LOL, Yep and bringing you the gift of an eight year old recycled fruit cake.

[usclimey]

I still say you need to change your user name. I also believe he is Gay. I also think he is a Muslim. I also believe he is a crook. I also believe he is a traitor. Have a question for you are you gay?

Posted by archibunker2

Even Archie Bunker would be insulted that a $hithead like you took his name.

[oleander8]

If a small business owner pays himself $250,000 from his business - not the business income - just his personal income - I have no problem with raising his taxes.

[usclimey]

I''''''''m a white, conservative, right wing, christian Republican. I''''''''m voting for John McCain. Maybe you should too.
Please VOTE for John McCain and Sarah Palin. Thank You.
Posted by repub4you001

The exact reason that EVERYONE who''s not a white, conservative, right wing, christian Republican (and you can add racist to that) SHOULD vote for Obama. Thank God mindless racist a$$holes like you are in the minority in this country.

[daffy64]

I''''''''''''''''m a white, conservative, right wing, christian Republican. I''''''''''''''''m voting for John McCain. Maybe you should too.
Please VOTE for John McCain and Sarah Palin. Thank You.
Posted by repub4you001

----

Uh...no, Mr. racist.

[rplat]

Anybody that is still "uncommitted" at this stage in the game is essentially brain dead and their opinion means less than nothing.

[closethippy1]

Why wasn''t Ralph Nader included in this debate? How could it be possible that the one person who has been warning Americans for decades about the savage greed of financial instituions and the only candidate to President who hasn''t received a penny from any of these white collar criminals is excluded from this most important debate?
I''m amazed at how regardless bad things get people are still scared of a reasonable man like Nader. To me, that shows that many Americans have been effectively brainwahsed by the Powers That Be who keep asking for another chance to do good like a career criminal who can''t help himself but doesn''t want to go to jail.
Why would anyone in their right mind feel so sorry for the Democrats or the Republicans so as to exclude from a presidential debate anyone who threatens their rule?

[usclimey]

Posted by archibunker2 at 08:19 AM

If morons like you are the best that GOPigs have to offer right now, we don''t even need to have an election. Obama is president by proclamation on the basis that any party supported by the likes of you shouldn''t have a say in the matter.

[usclimey]

Why wasn''''t Ralph Nader included in this debate?

Posted by closethippy1

Why weren''t Bob Barr and Ron Paul invited as well? Remember Nader gave us Bush.

[jimjus]

McCain said about his past records. With his past records the country is ruined. May be he doesn%u2019t understand. Obama is the future. Obama is presidential. McCain is a joker.

[usclimey]

Posted by john43218

You have no clue what a socialist looks like, sounds like, believes in, would do, wouldn''t do.... anything.

[omiles01]

Look!! Honestly we can all admit that both of these men have their fautlts. We all understand that they won''t be able to do have of the *** that they say.... My deciding factor was once that idiot Palin was chosen as a running mate.

[omega40]

Socialism does not work and if this country does not get that they are in for some sad times. Distribution of wealth is not the change the USA needs..Do you honestly believe rich Americans are going to share their wealth with American dead beats??? LMAO

Posted by john43218 at


Guess you missed McCain''s socialistic proposal of the taxpayer picking up 300 billion dollars worth of bad mortgages so people that bought more house than they could afford could keep them.

[omiles01]

GO OBAMA!!!!!!

[closethippy1]

If you want to follow this inexperianced narcisist to the bottom of the sess pool and believe he will change your life, you are right, and it will be a disasterous change and you will very much regret it. Socialism does not work and if this country does not get that they are in for some sad times. Distribution of wealth is not the change the USA needs..Do you honestly believe rich Americans are going to share their wealth with American dead beats??? LMAO
Posted by john43218 at 08:30 AM : Oct 08, 2008

Goodness gracious, sir, it is exactly because these rich Americans didn''t want to share "their" wealth and keep it all to themselves that we got ourselves in the mess we are.
This is not about "socialism" or any other "isms" it''s about common sense that needs to be used for the good of the common man, and the protection of everyone''s future.
And this will be done regardless of temper tantrums rich Americans throw.
Time to grow up, boy. Get out of that freaking sandbox and start behaving like a responsible adult.

[omega40]

Look!! Honestly we can all admit that both of these men have their fautlts. We all understand that they won''''t be able to do have of the *** that they say.... My deciding factor was once that idiot Palin was chosen as a running mate.

Posted by omiles01 a

If I could be sure McCain would start to turn things around and not continue the standard Republican claptrap of trickle-down, supply side economics, I would vote for him. I feel a Republican made this mess and should clean it up. It is extremely likely that whomever wins is going to be a one term president because things beyond their control are only going to get worse. I don''t think it''s fair that Obama will get such a bad rap because he had the misfortune to follow the biggest idiot ever elected, but like I said, I don''t believe McCain can be trusted to do the right thing.