A CBS News poll of uncommitted voters who watched the debate named Kerry the winner by 39-25 percent over Mr. Bush, with 36 percent calling it a tie. Fifty-nine percent said Kerry has clear positions on the issues. Before the third debate, only 31 percent of the same voters said Kerry had clear positions.
Among registered voters who watched the debate, 42 percent called Kerry the winner, 41 percent said Bush won and 14 percent called it a tie…. Among viewers, 38 percent identified themselves as Republicans, 30 percent as Democrats and 28 percent as independents. That makes the draw more of an accomplishment for Kerry. (emphasis added)
“Thinking about tonight’s debate…who would you say won the debate?”
Kerry 41%, Bush 36%, Neither 13%, Both 11%
A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll released shortly after the debate indicated that more who watched it gave Kerry the edge. Among the poll’s 511 respondents, 53 percent said Kerry did better, and 39 percent said Bush did.
Another quick word about the Gallup results. After the first debate in Miami, people were asked who won. Americans clearly backed Kerry — Kerry 53%, Bush 37%, Tie 8%. Last night, the results were almost identical — Kerry 52%, Bush 39%, Tie 8%. In other words, the first debate, which is considered a disaster for Bush, was about as bad for the incumbent as last night, at least before people are influenced by post-debate spin.
As CNN’s usually-conservative Bill Schneider said last night, “Well, this was a decisive win for John Kerry. It was just about as decisive as his win in the first debate, which everyone agreed was a blowout…. [T]he first debate he won by 16 points; this debate, Kerry won by 13 points.”