Poll: Obama Gained During Debates

CBS News/N.Y. Times Follow-Up Survey Of Likely Voters Suggests Democrat's Advantage Grew

(CBS)  The standing of the Democratic presidential ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden improved during the last few weeks of the presidential campaign, a period that included the three presidential debates and the vice presidential debate, a new CBS News/New York Times poll shows.

In a poll taken just before the first presidential debate, the Obama-Biden ticket held a five point edge, with 48 percent of likely voters backing the Democratic ticket and 43 percent supporting the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Those 476 likely voters were re-interviewed for the new poll, and their responses suggest that the Democratic ticket has made gains since the initial survey: The Obama-Biden ticket now holds a 13-point edge, 54 percent to 41 percent, among the group.

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Read The Complete Poll

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Nearly all of the voters who supported Obama in the initial poll in September - 98 percent - still do. The Republican ticket has retained 88 percent of its support. Among formerly undecided voters, fifty-two percent now say they favor Obama, while 36 percent support McCain. Twelve percent remain undecided.

Independents now support the Democratic ticket 50 percent to 43 percent. In September, this group backed the Mccain-Palin ticket, 46 percent to 40 percent. Self-described moderates, meanwhile, overwhelmingly favor the Obama-Biden ticket, breaking for the Democrats 66 percent to 30 percent.

Voters’ overall favorable opinions of Obama have improved ten points since the initial survey, to 53 percent. His unfavorably rating has also risen - though, at 33 percent, it is 20 points below his favorable rating.

McCain, by contrast, has seen his unfavorable rating rise ten points, to 45 percent. His unfavorable rating is now nine points higher than his favorable rating, which has held steady at 36 percent.

Twenty-one percent say their opinion of Obama has improved since the initial survey, while 14 percent say it has gotten worse. For McCain, the numbers are nearly reversed: Just 12 percent say their opinion of the candidate has improved while 23 percent say it has gotten worse.

Among voters who say their opinion of Obama has improved, the most cited reason is Obama's performance in the debates. Among voters who say their opinion of McCain has worsened, the most cited reason is his attacks on Obama.

Obama is seen as running the more positive campaign. Sixty-five percent say the Democratic nominee is spending more time explaining what he would do as president than attacking his opponent. Sixty-nine percent, meanwhile, say McCain is spending more time attacking Obama than explaining what he would do.

There remains a significant enthusiasm gap between the candidates: While 67 percent of Obama supporters are enthusiastic about their candidate, just 31 percent of McCain supporters are enthusiastic about theirs - a drop of six points.

The trends have been similar among the vice presidential candidates. Biden's favorable rating has risen 14 points since the initial survey, to 50 percent. His unfavorable rating is just 14 percent. Palin, meanwhile, has seen her unfavorable rating rise 12 points, to 41 percent. Her favorable rating has fallen five points, to 30 percent.

More than 1 in 4 says the vice presidential nominees will have a great deal of influence on their vote.

The uncommitted portion of the electorate remains sizable, but it is shrinking. About one in five registered voters are now uncommitted. In September, one in three was.

Candidates On The Issues

Though McCain has been showcasing "Joe The Plumber" in an effort to tie Obama to increased taxes, slightly more of these voters believe McCain would raise their taxes (53 percent) than believe Obama would (51 percent).

Nearly 3 in 4 voters believe Obama cares more about protecting ordinary people than large corporations. Fifty-nine percent believe McCain cares more about protecting large corporations.

Voters have become more pessimistic about the economy since the initial survey. And they weren't terribly optimistic to begin with. Fifty-seven percent now say the condition of the economy is "very bad," up nine points from September. Just six percent say it is "fairly good," down 11 points, while zero percent describe it as "very good."

Fifty-two percent of Americans say they have just enough to pay the bills, up from 45 percent in September. Nineteen percent say they don't have enough to pay the bills. The percentage of respondents who say they have enough to save and buy extras has dropped from 35 percent to 27 percent.

Just nine percent of those surveyed say they are "very confident" that McCain would make the right decisions on the economy, down seven points from before the first debate. Half of those surveyed are not confident McCain would make the right decisions.

Thirty-four percent are "very confident" in Obama when it comes to the economy, while 36 percent are not confident.

McCain retains a small edge on dealing with the war in Iraq. Thirty-one percent are "very confident" in the Republican nominee on the issue, while 40 percent are not confident. For Obama, 24 percent are "very confident" while 45 percent are not confident.

It is Obama, however, whom more voters see as better in handling a crisis. Fifty-two percent express confidence that the Illinois senator could deal wisely with a crisis, while 44 percent say the same of McCain.

Sixty percent say McCain would continue the policies of the unpopular Republican president, George W. Bush. Thirty-two percent say he would change course.

Obama continues to have the advantage on empathy: Seventy percent say he understands their needs and problems, while 47 percent say the same of McCain. The Republican nominee is still seen as more likely to be an effective commander-in-chief: forty-eight percent say McCain is "very likely" to be effective, while 27 percent say the same of Obama.

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This poll was conducted by telephone October 17-19, 2008 among 518 adults first interviewed by CBS News and the New York Times September 21-24, 2008. CBS News re-interviewed 476 registered voters for this poll. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus four percentage points. The error on measures of individual change is much smaller.

[dan_da_ban3]

hey, can anybody help me out. i keep getting banned on this site by cbs because i dont fall in line with thier bs political stance. im tired of creating new profiles everytime they stop me. does anyone have suggestions how to get around it. i tried one i saw posted a couple of weeks ago but it didnt work. any suggestions?

[dimhumb]

OBAMA=SOCIALISM,MAN CARL MARX WOULD BE PROUD.WHEN THE Bolsheviks STORM THE WINTER CASTLE.HIDE YOUR WEALTH.
Posted by NEEDERBAUR at 12:17 AM : Oct 22, 2008

NEEDERBAUR, I think social ajustments to economy have a right to take place provided that freedom is alive. The flaw of Bolsheviks was their vicious willingness to deprive people of freedom and human rights, to extinguish active groups of population who were against the revolution (Cossacks and so on) and after having perpetrated atrocious novelties Bolsheviks were faced by insurgencies and they thought they had to continue killing and killing. So their flaw is REVOLUTION, not socialistic thinking. If you have elections and freedom you have nothing to worry about politics-wise.

[mairin27]

Lastly Tex- You know good and well when I first posted your apparent mental illness I did not cut and paste it. But am happy to continue to repost it and am even more delighted when I see others post it. Because it 1) confirms my diagnosis 2) shows me that others think that you have a problem also and 3) most importantly makes me laugh cause I know you will run off the blog to come back later and bloviate all over the place.

Posted by mairin27 "


Point, Set, Match.


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Posted by WitchesRDumb at 10:34 PM : Oct 21, 2008

[mairin27]

Try not to laugh too hard.


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Posted by WitchesRDumb at 10:48 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Found Tex she is posting under the Palin Children thread.

[mairin27]

Aw Rowdy, are you hitting on me? I''''m taken aback.


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Posted by cntrymuzksux at 10:29 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Be afraid be very afraid. That is scarier than the possbility of Sarah " As VP I will be in charge of the Senate" Palin.

[mairin27]

From the PIEHOLE that claims she''''''''s a doctor but has no intelectual abilities, this is hilarious.

Posted by FromTexwlove at 09:53 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Lastly Tex- You know good and well when I first posted your apparent mental illness I did not cut and paste it. But am happy to continue to repost it and am even more delighted when I see others post it. Because it 1) confirms my diagnosis 2) shows me that others think that you have a problem also and 3) most importantly makes me laugh cause I know you will run off the blog to come back later and bloviate all over the place.

[targaray-2009]

The Choice in this Election Could Not Be Clearer...

The failed policies, angry rhetoric, pursuit of greed and tired distractions of fear & intolerance of the past 8 years versus imaginative economic/energy/healthcare/security policies that embrace a more hopeful, a more unified, a more respected and a more inclusive future for this great nation.

[mairin27]

Posted by FromTexwlove at 09:53 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Hey Mairin27, what happens when you have to give a diagnosis, do you just cut ''''n paste it from slathering socialist bull ***** from the internet?


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Posted by FromTexwlove at 09:55 PM : Oct 21, 2008

I already told you I thought that you would highly benefit greatly from Haldol.

[mairin27]

From the PIEHOLE that claims she''''s a doctor but has no intelectual abilities, this is hilarious.

Somebody that all they can do is cut ''''n paste, without forming their own opinion, lol


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Posted by FromTexwlove at 09:53 PM : Oct 21, 2008


And Tex you can''t even come up with your own words. I told you to shut your PIEHOLE and now aren''t you just too cute using PIEHOLE in all your posts. When I gave a cogent theory on why Jesus had socialist leanings in his teachings and produced evidence to support this. You could not even be bothered to read them. I told you to go and do some research to refute my claim. You didn''t.

And as for reposting things well I guess you would know all about that.

As for my intelligence well at least I bother to research things.. When you don''t like what you hear or are faced with overwhelming evidence that contradicts something you have posted. YOUR HIGHLY INTELLIGENT ARGUEMENT? THEY ARE LIES.

[chitown639]

Oooops, Oslime-a''''s back up in the democrapic polls tonite, they musta polled again in the one or two states where he actually won some votes.


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Posted by FromTexwlove

This may come as a surprise to you, but Obama is winning....McCains campaign is in trouble....there is less than two weeks for McCain to turn this thing around. You can post all of the SOUR GRAPE comments you like, but it still wont change the fact that McCain is headed toward defeat....LMAO

[mairin27]

Mairin27 - sorry, meant to attribute that to you!

By the way, as a medical professional, don''''t you think Tex''''s neck looks a little too red to be healthy?


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Posted by WitchesRDumb at 08:49 PM : Oct 21, 2008

It''s just due to the pressure.. you know the pressure of keeping her head from popping off.

[mairin27]

Posted by mairin27 at 08:40 PM : Oct 21, 2008"


That needs to be repeated!!!!!


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Posted by whatithink10 at 08:45 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Pull it out often and watch little Tex run.. Run away little tex run away.

[whatithink10]

"Hmmm, over a minute now since a post from dr-cool or Rowdy. Must be visiting smear sites or culling up one of their repeat rant/lies.


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Posted by cntrymuzksux at 08:46 PM : Oct 21, 2008"


Fox News must be having a special event.

[whatithink10]

"Unfortunately for her, FromTexwLove / GetRealTex''''''''s insurance found out she has these pre-existing psychological problems:

1) Projection - attributing one''''''''s own unacknowledged feelings to others; includes severe prejudice, severe jealousy, hypervigilance to external danger, and "injustice collecting". (Remember that projection is a primitive form of paranoia, so it is common in today''''''''s world)

2) Immaturity - acceptable in childhood and adolescence, but mostly abandoned by adulthood, since they lead to socially unacceptable behavior and/or prevent the adult from optimal coping with reality

3) Distortion - a gross reshaping of external reality to meet internal needs delusion is an unshakable belief in something untrue. These irrational beliefs defy normal reasoning, and remain firm even when overwhelming proof is presented to dispute them.

4) Delusion disorder - is an unshakable belief in something untrue. These irrational beliefs defy normal reasoning, and remain firm even when
overwhelming proof is presented to dispute them.

5) Self-loathing - often manifest itself as rage towards others.




Posted by WitchesRDumb at 08:37 PM : Oct 21, 2008


Hey Witches- I simply love it when others pull out my post to show how sad Tex is. LMOA


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Posted by mairin27 at 08:40 PM : Oct 21, 2008"


That needs to be repeated!!!!!

[mairin27]

Posted by GetRealTex at 10:19 PM : Oct 08, 2008
+ report abuse

" I can''''t get ANY insurance in my state because of pre-conditions

Posted by FromTexwLove / GetRealTex at 1:43 PM : Oct 10, 2008"
Please give me a break from your squawking!
______________________________________________________

Sorry you are deluded. Most of that sqawking is coming from the voices in your own head.

But good new for you.

Oct. 8, 2008 - A new law could boost insurance coverage for many Americans in need of mental health and substance abuse treatment.

The big economic bailout passed by Congress and signed by the president last week had an attachment. Part of the bill said insurance companies must now cover mental health and substance abuse services on "parity" with medical and surgical treatments.

Under the bill, which goes into effect in 2010, group insurance plans that cover mental illness already must now equalize its value with medical and surgical coverage. The number of covered visits, the cost of copays, and the total value of treatment covered each year would have to be on par.

I suggest you make use of this new bill and go get some mental health care.

You must really hate yourself. Self loathing turned outwards on others...Why do you hate yourself so much?

________________________________________
Posted by mairin27 at 10:56 PM : Oct 08, 2008

[whatithink10]

Posted by FromTexwlove at 08:37 PM : Oct 21, 2008

I never mentioned ONCE the race of Sarah Palin and you know it. I don''t care what color she is OR that she is a woman. I''ve told you several times that if McCain wanted to pick a GOP woman he had many to pick from (Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Condi Rice, Elizabeth Dole), but picking Sarah Palin was scraping at the moose droppings. It is a poor example of his judgment. The only reason you are supporting her is to save face. You know it.

[mairin27]

Unfortunately for her, FromTexwLove / GetRealTex''''s insurance found out she has these pre-existing psychological problems:

1) Projection - attributing one''''s own unacknowledged feelings to others; includes severe prejudice, severe jealousy, hypervigilance to external danger, and "injustice collecting". (Remember that projection is a primitive form of paranoia, so it is common in today''''s world)

2) Immaturity - acceptable in childhood and adolescence, but mostly abandoned by adulthood, since they lead to socially unacceptable behavior and/or prevent the adult from optimal coping with reality

3) Distortion - a gross reshaping of external reality to meet internal needs delusion is an unshakable belief in something untrue. These irrational beliefs defy normal reasoning, and remain firm even when overwhelming proof is presented to dispute them.

4) Delusion disorder - is an unshakable belief in something untrue. These irrational beliefs defy normal reasoning, and remain firm even when
overwhelming proof is presented to dispute them.

5) Self-loathing - often manifest itself as rage towards others.




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Posted by WitchesRDumb at 08:37 PM : Oct 21, 2008


Hey Witches- I simply love it when others pull out my post to show how sad Tex is. LMOA

[whatithink10]

Posted by WitchesRDumb at 08:35 PM : Oct 21, 2008

LOL!

[whatithink10]

Posted by cntrymuzksux at 08:34 PM : Oct 21, 2008

The sky could be blue and she would argue with you for an eternity that it is pink. The truth means little to her.

[ragnar30066]

If there were any doubts left, Colin Powell has removed them. He is a black racist to the core. His "endorsement" probably didn''t sway more than a handful of additional votes, none of them blacks who have not already committed one way or the other. But what he has done is lit the fuse of hundreds of thousands of whites who were begrudgingly on the fence about voting for a black President. With Powell''s overt act of racism he has probably pushed tens if not hundreds of thousands of them over, into the McCain camp.