I’ve always thought that the post-debate spin-o-rama on who won or lost a debate is incredibly silly, but for better or worse, it’s become a part of the whole debate process. But no matter what the pundits say (and they seem to call this one a draw favoring Obama), what’s most important is what the American people thought and here there’s no doubt Obama won. For example:
According to CBS News / Knowledge Networks’ poll of undecided voters: 40% of uncommitted voters who watched the debate tonight thought Barack Obama was the winner. 22% thought John McCain won. 38% saw it as a draw. 68% of these voters think Obama would make the right decision about the economy. 41% think McCain would. [CBS News / Knowledge Network Undecideds Give Debate To Obama] [via Ambinder]
That’s pretty brutal, and CNN’s poll of people who watched the debate turns up the same results:
Who Did the Best Job In the Debate?
Obama 51%
McCain 38%Who Would Better Handle Economy?
Obama 58%
McCain 37%Who Would Better Handle Iraq?
Obama 52%
McCain 47%
Personally, I thought it was pretty uneventful, but that played right into Obama’s hands. He was able to portray himself as a competent and in control leader. McCain’s performance was very passable, but his messaging seemed somewhat inconsistent and his tone often came across as petty and bitter (which was in no way helped by his stubborn refusal to even glance in Obama’s direction). But, like I said, who cares what I or anyone else thinks; when it comes to election day it’s just you and a ballot alone together in a booth. (which is why the above numbers are such good news)
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The immediate Drudge Report Online Poll certainly conflicts with CNN’s view.
I enjoyed McCain’s answer with references to Ukraine, the Crimea, Sevostopol, the Russian fleet, and meetings between two Ukrainian names I don’t know if I could even pronounce; President Yushchenko and Prime Minister Tymoshenko.
It’s a very, very different feeling than having Obama at the top of the ticket chanting “Sí se puede”.
Obama didn’t win the Drudge report poll? There’s a shocker. I bet Obama didn’t do too well in the McCain family member poll either.
Even McCain couldn’t pronounce the leader of Pakistan. To be fair, he was so far off that he probably had no idea who it was.
Get off my lawn you damn kids!
@jbenson2
A web poll from NBC with over 370,000 votes shows Obama the winner with 52% of the vote, McCain with 34%… and 14% undecided.
A CBS controlled poll of undecided voters shows that Obama was the winner… albeit by smaller margins. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/26/politics/horserace/entry4482028.shtml
The CNN web poll with 130,000 votes shows Obama the clear winner with 67%, McCain with 27%… and 6% undecided.
Fox, ABC, and PBS were lacking a post debate poll at the time of this comment.
Online poll? ONLINE POLL? You joker! You do understand the difference between an online poll, and a real poll, right?
JESUS CHRIST, MAN! Your credibility is GONE! Heh. Drudge.
Real polls show that Obama won among women and seniors by roughly a 60/40 split.
Obama was the more polished debater and appeared more Presidential, no doubt.
Now, I liked the content of McCain’s answers a whole lot better than the content of Obama’s answers. But even this moderate R knows that Obama came across much better last night.
Obama won last night. McCain wouldn’t even look Obama in the eye, something my Daddy taught me (and the Nuns reinforced). McCain also lost his cool a bit.
Can’t wait for the VP debate. I read somewhere that Palin is being called Governor Moosemeat — how funny! After the Katie Couric debacle she deserves it, and the National Journal is now calling for her to step aside.
Obama was on the defensive the entire night. Obama stumbled badly on Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. McCain simply knows this stuff, and Obama again and again proves that he does not.
Obama was on the defensive the entire night. Obama stumbled badly on Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. McCain simply knows this stuff, and Obama again and again proves that he does not. You obviously were watching some other debate.
jbenson2,
Are you saying McCain did not stumble, or did not rely on well known scripted right wing talking points?
THE SAME people who said Bush won his debates against Kerry in 2004 are saying McCain won this debate against Obama.
Look what that got us.
NPR pundits, who I view as pretty fair if not tilted just a hair to the left, agreed this morning that there were no gaffes and no knockouts last night.
Obama was the clear winner. I understand he did especially well among undecideds regarding foreign policy. Given that Americans trust Obama over McCain on domestic issues by 20 points, this is very good news for Obama.
Obama won by not losing. Foreign Policy was supposed to be McCain’s turf, yet Obama more than held his own and came across as more competent and presidential. I even think Obama’s restrained, deferential tone was the smart play. No need for a knockout punch here, this is only the first debate.
Obama is playing rope-a-dope. He easily withstood McCain’s sharpest attacks. By the third debate, McCain will have nothing left to say. The knockout blow will come on Nov 4.
I will still probably vote for Obama but McCain came across much better than I thought he would. Frankly, if ONLY he hadn’t picked Palin for VP, I wouldn’t feel horrible if McCain won. But with Palin second in command there is NO WAY I can support McCain. He really blew it (for me) with that pick.
McCain did slightly better than I thought. His head didn’t actually explode. He did come off as an angry bully, though. Looked pretty bad for him, in my opinion.