Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Nation & World


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published October 9, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 9, 2008 at 11:21 AM

Comments (0)     E-mail article     Print view

Close-up

Polls declare Obama victor of 2nd debate

Barack Obama beat John McCain in Tuesday night's debate in the view of many who watched, according to polls. An online Ipsos/McClatchy poll found that undecided voters thought Obama won by 61 to 39 percent.

By the numbers

The second matchup between Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, proved a strong draw with television viewers Tuesday. More than 63 million people tuned in to watch the debate in Nashville, Tenn., a sizable increase over the 52.4 million who watched the first forum Sept. 26, according to Nielsen Media Research, based on the country's top 55 local TV markets. But the presidential candidates couldn't match the interest in their running mates, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., who garnered 69.9 million viewers for their Oct. 2 debate.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Barack Obama beat John McCain in Tuesday night's debate in the view of many who watched, according to polls.

An online Ipsos/McClatchy poll found that undecided voters thought Obama won by 61 to 39 percent. Before the debate, the 389 undecided voters favored McCain 55-45, but afterward, they shifted to favor Obama over McCain, 57 percent to 43 percent.

CNN's national poll of debate watchers, meanwhile, found that 54 percent said Obama did the better job, compared with 30 percent who said McCain performed better. While 51 percent of those polled said they had a favorable opinion of McCain, unchanged from before the debate started, 64 percent said they had a favorable opinion of Obama, up 4 percentage points from before the debate.

By more than a 2-to-1 ratio, 65 percent to 28 percent, more people said they found Obama more likable than McCain during the debate, according to the CNN/Opinion Research survey.

On the question of who won the debate, a CBS News/Knowledge Networks poll of uncommitted voters found a similar result. Forty percent said Obama won; 26 percent said McCain won; and 34 percent thought it was a tie.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Nation & World headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Comments
No comments have been posted to this article. Start the conversation.

advertising

Senate Democrats split on health bill's fate

UPDATE - 06:32 PM
SC gov faces 37 charges he broke state ethics laws

U.K. started planning early for war, leaked papers show

Vaccine to kill nicotine buzz now in late tests by small drug firm

India's feeling bruised even before White House visit

Advertising

Video

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors

Marketplace

Advertising