Via CBS: CBS Poll: More Uncommitted Voters Saw Biden As Winner
Forty-six percent of the uncommitted voters surveyed say Democrat Joe Biden won the debate, compared to 21 percent for Republican Sarah Palin. Thirty-three percent said it was a tie.
Marc Ambinder has a few other numbers:
CNN’s poll gives the debate to Biden, 51% to 36%…..Frank Luntz’s focus group found Palin’s performance to be most effective…Sphere: Related Content
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I disagree with many of these polls statistics as they are focused on certain characteristics and no not represent the majority of people who fall in an income category of under $30,000 a year. History has proven how lower income voters make every effort to make their vote count. I am in this category and I am very undecieded but mostly because neither candidate has addressed the most critical issues to what we are concerned with. They seem to be way out of touch with what goes on in their own states as it concerns lower income voters and have not tackled issues of how the economy has an affect on people on small fixed incomes.
Today I found myself disgusted by major news outlets of their rehashing of the debate and the emphasis they are putting on OBama to the point that I find myself taking a closer look at McCain. I am democrat and from Illinois and when its all said and done I want a president that is for every American Citizen not just a certain group. Polls are interesting as in my 51 years I have never participated in a poll when it comes to politics, as my income group is seldom targeted yet statistics show that the largest amount of registered voters are actually in this target group. Polls seem not to break down the political affiliation from the start of polling and their are actually certain groups that just will automatically swing towards a certain political party despite what the candidate may or may not represent.
Comment by Marlene Stewart — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 8:22 am
Is it just me or does Frank Luntz’s whole charade just bug the hell out of you? These “televised” focus groups are just about useless.
Comment by Talmadge East — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 8:28 am
The difference between this debate and the Couric interviews? Palin was not consistently called out for dodging questions that she obviously had not prepared answers for.
Couric would repeat questions to force Palin to answer or demonstrate her lack of knowledge. During the debate, Palin dodged the questions that the moderator thought the American people should hear the answer to. What a Maverick! Dodging the questions of the American people, just like Bush and Cheney! She then proceeded to charmingly deliver slogan after slogan in vague support of McCain and Bush’s already proven to fail policies.
She also mentioned that she would be the point person on energy. Hmm, a leader on energy who doesnt believe that man’s actions are causing global warming, and whose only expertise is in oil…thats just what America needs.
Comment by jesse — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 8:33 am
Biden seemed to be Biden last night, occasionally mangling facts to his advantage when necessary. OK, we can argue about what the constitution says about the Veep job, who provided leadership to get the US involved with the Bosniacs, or even how he was misquoted about clean coal technology.
But here’s one I have no concept of what he was talking about and I’d like a pointer to an appropriate history web page if anyone has one in their pocket:
Does anybody have a clue what he’s talking about. I’m guessing he must be referring to the 2024 Israeli war with Hezbollah, but neither the US nor France were involved and Hezbollah wasn’t kicked out of Lebanon. And I can’t remember anybody talking about putting NATO in that mess (though I may have missed it).
The only other candidate that I can think of was the 1982 Israeli invasion of Southern Lebanon and 2024 retreat. However Hezbollah didn’t exist in 1982 and were instrumental in chasing Israel out in 2024 (not to mention that Obama wasn’t even near the national radar then).
Dr Taylor, you have any thoughts about this? To what was he referring? Usually his stuff has a grain of truth (FDR really did go on the radio on occasion) but this is way out there, even for him.
Or maybe I’m not remembering the incident he’s referring to.
Comment by Buckland — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 9:04 am
Clearly, the American people are biased against Republicans, which is just shameful.
Comment by Alex Knapp — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 9:09 am
CNN’S POLL on the debate differs dramatically from other polls, so take it with a grain of salt. Palin is running for V.P … let’s take a look at the qualifications, judgement, and experience of Obama, who is running for President. Obama had 25 years to fulfill the potential he displayed as a rising start at Harvard Law School … and, how did he live up to that potential? He chose to align himself with anti-American racist, Jeremiah Wright for TWENTY YEARS … along with Ferrahkan, Rezko, Ayers, and others. As a community organizer, he registered thousands of voters in Chicago … then, when he ran for the state legislature, he took away their votes, by disqualifying his opponent (a black woman) on a technicality. As a U.S. Senator, he voted present 160 times … he never called a meeting on the Afghanistan committee he chaired (although he NOW says we must shift all our military from Iraq to Afghanistan). He claimed Foreign Policy experience from a 9 day whirlwind photo op to 6 countries. And, he spent almost half of his tenure neglecting his responsibilities as a U.S. Senator, so he could run for President. Senator McCain served America honorably for 22 years in the military. He proved his love for America, as well as his honor, integrity and character, by refusing early release as a P.O.W., even while being tortured. He served America as a ‘contributing’ U.S. Senator, working across the aisle, for 20 years. Governor Palin will learn the details of the current national and international issues … but, what Obama never learned is Character. He can’t be trusted … ask Jeremiah Wright, Rezko and Ayers. The American people can recognize ‘real’ character and integrity in McCain and Palin, and that’s why she won the debate by 87% on the FOX text messaging poll.
Comment by Gina — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 9:14 am
Most of Palin’s answers lacked substance. I thought her overall style as “cheesy”. I don’t know about her supporters, but what I look for in a leader is intelligence and passion for the issues.
I didn’t get that feeling from Sarah Palin. Joe Biden has dedicated his life to helping people as a Senator and unlike Sarah Palin, he doesn’t need to read a magazine to know what’s happening in the world because it’s his job. It’s what he does and it was clear to me that he knows what’s going on whereas Sarah Palin has only recently been exposed to world events in order to prep for the debate. It’s very scary to think that this woman could step into the VP position knowing so little about foreign and domestic affairs as well as politics.
As a Democrat, I would have supported Joe Biden anyway, but after seeing the debate last night, I have complete confidence in him to step into the Presidency if he had to. After listening to Sarah Palin last night, my opinion about her hasn’t changed. She did not say anything to improve her image in my mind and it’s clear that she shows a lack of knowledge and interest in worldy matters, domestic issues and national politics.
Comment by Stella — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 9:17 am
I think Palin can stick the folksey stuff I think it’s rather condesending and I think it shows a lack of respect for people kind of like talking down to us .I don’t want a maverirck or an outsider in office . A maverick doesn’t care about the good of the people they do what they want an Outsider can’t get anything done because of lack of connections and because people can’t trust them .
Comment by william gonzalez — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 9:32 am
Let’s give credit where credit is due, Joe Biden did an outstanding job. As a woman (41), wife, and mother (of two), I have to say, Palin was charming, and funny but lacked substance. I will also say she is definitely on the right ticket. They are definitely change agents, McCain and Palin make up their own rules, and expect everyone else to be all right with it. Since when does a person decide in a formal debate that they can ignore the moderator and ask and answer their own questions? The media has never been tuff on Palin, I am so sick of listening to them make excuses for her. She is vying to be the next VP; this is not a beauty pageant! Mediocrity should not be acceptable!
Comment by Sandra — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 9:43 am
What I see is a strategic mistake. Our base the republican base is safe but we can’t win without independents and moderate to conservative democrats. How is McCain/Palin addressing that issue. Wasting energy on a safe segment is a mistake. We need to convince those on the fence and I’m still not sure that we are accomplishing that.
Comment by Jr — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 10:24 am
Stella, seeing you admitted to being a democrat, your statement was expected to favor the canidate of your party.
Bidens actions were typical democrat to defend a record of doing nothing to help americans. I do not see any additional police officers in the area where I live. he and Obama will raise taxes on americans, but wait, maybe they do not consider anyone making 250k a year or higher to be americans. All that Biden and Obama will do is dress the same ole pig up in a new dress and call it beautiful. heck they won’t even have to put lipstick on it. McCain and Palin are going for change, and by McCain picking Palin as a running mate only shows that. I would rather have an outsider start in washington that have a 30 year “good old boy” continue that same old crap he has always done. The definition to insanity is doing the same thing you have always done and expect a different result. thats what you call voting for Obama and Biden, insanity. At least McCain is bringing in a fesh face and different point of view that just may change something.
Comment by DaveinSouthCarolina — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 10:56 am
Gina, you are what is referred to as a blind partisan. You were going to vote Repub regardless of what happened in the debate last night. Palin showed a shallowness that would be breathtaking if it weren’t so serious. You think McCain has integrity? Maybe you aren’t aware of the Keating 5 scandal. Maybe you aren’t aware of how he dumped his beauty pagent wife for another beauty pagent wife …with money. I fail to see how Obama’s going to church for 20 years hurts his character. Don’t people go to church to worhip god? What does the preacher have to do with it? The facts are clear. The Repubs have had the White House for 20 of the last 28 years. Every single repub president left the country in staggering debt while rich people got even richer and middle incomes stayed stagnant. Reagan ran up a $200B debt. Bush I ran up a $300B debt and Bush II has a $400B bill and the bills just keep on coming. Only Clinton left some money in the bank for the next president. Palin’s dodgy behavior was pathetic. It only highlighted her woeful ignorance on issues that are effecting Americans every day. Any insurance actuarial will tell you McCain’s age and health raise serious issues about the likelihood of him finishing one term as president. Little Ms Palin sitting in the White House raises the hair on the back of my neck.
Comment by Cal — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 10:57 am
Buckland:
I was confused by that response (the Hezbollah one) as well.
And I haven’t had time to go back and look at it.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 11:08 am
check it out: you can view and respond to all the questions and responses to last night’s palin-biden debate on ameritocracy.com
http://ameritocracy.com/issues/2008_vice_presidential_debate#amcy–7eXHxP
neat.
Comment by jaydb — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 11:34 am
The CBS and CNN polls can be completely discounted. They are groups of people hand picked by the networks and news affiliates. Their outcome is known before the first question is asked during the debates. In doing these “insta-polls” the news divisions of these organizations have forfieted their credibility and integrity. They have turned their news organizations into propaganda machines. Edward R. Morrow must be spinning in his grave to see such behavior by American journalist.
Comment by Jack — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 11:35 am
how is change agreeing with the failed bush administration and bush policies?!?
vote obama/biden 08
Comment by icemusic — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 11:50 am
Republicans had a good chance to bring more minorities into the party, but they adopted the “Southern Strategy” instead. A little history lesson: Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy for president from, of all places, Philadelphia, MS while touting “states rights.” Philadelphia, MS was where three young men were brutally murdered by racist thugs who could not come to accept the fact that constitutional gurantees should be afforded to all Americans, not just white Americans. These three young men (two white one black) were trying to improve the lives of all Americans by taking a stand against bigotry and Jim Crow’s reign throughout the south. The familiar refrain at that time to oppose equal rights was “states rights.” Now, do you understand why Mr. Reagan does not get much credit in minority communities? Moreover, that region of our nation is solidly red, and minorities know their history all too well regarding Jim Crow and all that meant in their daily lives. That is why they avoid the new Republican party like the plague. The new Republican party is definitely not Mr. Lincoln’s party anymore. Perhaps the new Dixiecrat party is more appropriate. Here in Atlanta there are communities incorporating to ensure they will be Republican oasis in a sea of democratically controlled local governments. Heck, they want to even go so far as to de-annex a portion of the city of Atlanta and divide Fulton County into two separate counties as if Georgia does not have enough counties already. Their tactics are thinly veiled at best.
Comment by Corey — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:22 pm
Do you know what polls and pigs have in common?
They both smell like whatever they’ve been rolling around in.
Polls that have been rolling around in the democratic party always paint the democrats as being ahead, and the same is true for the (is there such a thing?) polls that roll around in the republican party.
They all stink, they’re all utterly useless and ultimately more damaging to our society than they are helpful.
If the pollsters all boarded a ship without lifeboats and it happened to sink, I wouldn’t shed a tear.
Comment by Western Man — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:28 pm
I think several people have said it very well, that Biden was articulate, on the message and connected with the working class people in this country. He is knowledgeable in foreign policy, and economics and that came across last evening. I would trust him to step into the oval Office if, God forbid, he would have to do that. I thought Palin repeated over and over again the same old bush mantra, got confused at times and didn’t fully answer the question put to her. I was also very concerned that she would want to expand the role of the VP; doesn’t know the constitution obviously. I also shudder when I think that if McCain should win and die in office, having this neophyte sitting in the Oval Office would be sad for our country. Shame on McCain for selecting this person as his running mate. He put politics ahead of the country and the country at further risk by doing so. And lastly, I have never trusted people who wink. They are always up to something and usually it is not good.
Comment by Hannah Stevens — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:32 pm
All Sarah Palin did was recite what she memorized for the debate. She ignored the questions because she came with her own agenda. If she had been pressured to respond to the questions, she would have stumbled. I thought the job of the moderator was to prompt candidates to answers to the questions being presented. Otherwise its just a stump speech. Sarah even said she wants to continue to talk (give speeches) to the American people. What about going on Face the Nation, Larry King, or other programs like these where you are giving questions and not allow to give your own agenda talk. Debates are not debates any more if candidates just come in and tell us what they want to tell us. It appears we Americans are reducing ourselves to mediocrity. That is why we have Bush and apparently some want to continue the route of being “just simply a six pack”. Blah! I prefer to reach for excellence and not accept mediocrity.
Comment by petena — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:32 pm
Oh, and CBS - WOW, there’s a trusted news source!!!
These are the same people who broadcasted memos about Bush being AWOL without doing a LICK of investigative journalism to see whether they were legit. Dan Rather took those forged memos on the air and threw his full confidence behind them.
We live in a SAD place when some jerk with an axe to grind can annoymously fax a forged, damning memo about a sitting President to a major news outlet and get it on the air the same day.
I don’t believe CBS’s polls, posted above. It’s just as likely that they either made those numbers up outright (and didn’t even conduct a poll) or altered the polling process in some way to skew the results.
Their news organization has the value of a communist rag in Soviet Moscow.
Comment by Western Man — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:34 pm
Face the Nation. Larry King. Gimme a break.
If Palin was interviewed by him, I’d boycott it anyway. Who cares what Larry King thinks; who cares what CNN broadcasts? Everybody knows what Ted Turner’s political affiliation is. Everybody knows what CNN’s agenda is.
Larry King is a front man for a liberal news media establishment. He has no honor. He has no dignity. He has no value to us as a journalist. He’s just a propagandist.
Face the Nation? Yeah. Resistance is futile! We will assimilate you! You will be reprogrammed to think the way we want you to think!
That show is garbage, again, unfit even for YouTube. I’d boycott that, too.
SO GO AHEAD!!! Tell me I’m a fascist. Tell me I’m pathetic. Tell me I’m stupid. Do all of those things that “smart” people do when folks like me get angry and hostile. I don’t care. I won’t be condescended to, and I won’t be told what to think. I’ll think for myself, thank you very much.
Comment by Western Man — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:41 pm
Actions not words bring change. Obama and Biden have been campaigning for this a lot longer than McCain and Palin. They have talked our ears off, but what has changed? Sorry, but the lack of a significant lead shows America just isn’t buying it. Even with the party lines. Half of independent voters just don’t either.
As for failed Bush policies. Clinton may have left a surplus, but he left a trail fo dead americans from terrorist actions: WTC bombimg, USS Cole, Black Hawk down, Oklahoma City, Olympic Park, US Embassy and training 9/11 pilots right here. Let’s not forget the good old days shall we?
Comment by Jim — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:44 pm
Oh brother Palin fans,
Even you can’t deny how well coached this woman was…shoot I could of filled in for Palin. Same ol lines…same ol bs…she might as well of repeated one of her speeches. All she proved?…She can present a well thought out speech. I have four friends in my circle alone…who are no longer voting Republican…in their words “its an embarrassment”. The truth is the working American is not stupid…and they won’t put up with “FLUFF” anymore….Period.
Comment by Jules — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:54 pm
And you don’t know how to use … properly.
Try completing your sentences and I’ll maybe think you have a brain.
Comment by Western Man — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:58 pm
I noticed in the comments at how divided the opinions are and how most already have their minds made up. The polls actually reflect this very mindset and I personally as woman find it offensive to use labels against either candidate. The problem with this election is all the blame and acqusations that are thrown around. We as human beings make mistakes what is important is admitting mistakes and not repeating them and this is not happening with our candidates. They completely stand behind their decisions even if a bill that was passed was not what was best for our country.
I wish someone would create a poll that required the pollsters to state income level, geographic area, religion, party affiliation, education level, define employment in the manner of business owner, self contract, work for company, disabled or student, and also ask do you consider yourself conservative, liberal or in between. Then target the top five issues they believe are an important influence in this campaign as it would create what I believe a more accurate poll and one that would inform the candidates what Americans want. It is hard for me to focus on global warming, bail out and the war which I have loved ones in Iraq right now fighting when I can no longer put food on my table. There are many people in our country who are now actually going hungry , our local food bank is begging for food as they have nothing to give out, utilities cost are higher than ones income I am basically hoping I do not lose my home during the winter. Polls are targeted at middle and upper class and the issues are mostly the same. In a debate just because one person has more experience in debating and a smoother style does not make that person more knowledgable than the other. I think Pallin was very nervous and misunderstood the mediator at one point that is no reason to call her names, and Bidin although I respect his determination in raising his children in a difficult situation that is no reason for me to vote for his side as well. I just wish their was more credible information out there to really know about why the candidate voted a certain way as of right now I think the debates should be completely call in with the people having the chance to ask questions on issues that are not being addressed.
Comment by Marlene Stewart — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 12:58 pm
No more McCain/Palin
Comment by Jules — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 1:00 pm
…I have no time post like some people…I don’t have time to edit voluntary comments…I have a very important issues on a daily basis…I actually get work done…unlike your party has in almost a decade…edit that if you would like.. Westereen… oops mispelled. I’m out
Comment by Jules — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 1:04 pm
There was a MASH episode where Klinger had gotten the answers to a test and wrote them down on various parts of his arms and legs. When test time came he gave all the answers in the order he had memorized them, only Hawkeye mixed up the questions. When the phone rings at 3:00 AM which answer will she give.
Comment by Ken Trautwein — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 1:31 pm
Many things have been said in favor of S.Palin but let’s be realistic here. yes she may connect with the average american and she is very well liked by some but would I want a attractive average person with an average judgement and no experience on foreing policy running the country when J. mccain checks out of this world? Really J. mccain is 72 yrs old he’ll be gone by Xmas. S Palin does not know anymore than her track record and Wasilla in Alaska so J Mccain is running by himself if you ask me.
Comment by Gio — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 2:38 pm
I can understand the foolish person believing that Biden won the debate last night because he appeared to have many statistics memorized. However, upon a fact check I performed myself working continuously over the last hours, I have found that in at least 35% of the sentences that Joe Biden spoke last night, there were, at best misstatements if not out and out lies or serious twisting of the facts. He looked presidential, but if he looks into the eyes of a foreign diplomat or leader and lies like he did last night looking right into the camera, he will go down as the worst Vice President in American history. Other countries well versed in history and political knowledge will laugh at the statements he makes.
Even though Sarah may not know all the facts, last night she came across as one willing to learn and study prior to making a statement about substantial topics. I cannot vote for a person who knowingly misstates the facts and tries to mislead people through convincing sounding verbage such as Biden used last night.
Comment by Bill — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 4:42 pm
It wasn’t the ‘liberal media bias’ or any other excuse Palin supporters might use to explain the Brits reaction to the debate.
A whopping 83% gave it to Biden.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/poll/2008/oct/03/palin.biden.debate.election
They saw the same thing we did: a childish ex beauty pageant candidate who learned how to play one tune, just for the judges benefit. But had neither the desire nor the skill to reach beyond that for herself, or anyone else..
She’s simply not fit for this duty.
Comment by hazmaq — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 9:29 pm
Palin lacked substance and lost the debate, get over it. America watched and America saw. She might be a nice lady to have as a neighbor but she’s certainly not vp material, much less Presidential. Since when is blatant ignorance and outright evasiveness qualities to be proud of?
The fact that the bar had to literally be dropped on the floor, or the fact that the general public had such low expections of her speak volumes about the dept of her knowlegdge and readiness to lead this nation. No people, it’s not cool to be dumb.
What’s really sad is that it took a financial disaster for the people to finally see the neocons for what they are.
Comment by Jack — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 9:57 pm
Hey, has anyone heard about the new president nominee! Michael Douglas Carlin has set his mind to be kind and create world peace. With his book “A Prescription For Peace”, he has great ideas of saving the environment from another great depression. If you want more information about how Michael Douglas Carlin will save our world, go to http://www.mikecarlinforpresident.info.
Comment by Marti — Friday, October 3, 2024 @ 11:41 pm
By attending a debate, based on a widely agreed set of rules.
& during the debate if one of the party says that he or she
will not answer all the questions put to her. in this case
the VP. candidate Sara Palin , thinks she scored , must
be living in a world of her own. It reflects hollowness.
It would have been better to have gone on air through some network,& talk as she pleases, instead of attending the debate.
This attitude would never work, if she had applied for any other job, & I think to be a V.P. is a job. An ordinary person
would never have got away with this riducle. But then she has the might of the Republician party & its supporters behind her. I see her more of a “Projected Image” than as an ordinary( so called) hockey mom.
Comment by phil — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 12:46 am
I could care less about what the brits reaction to the debate was. Its really none of thier concern
Comment by DaveinSouthCarolina — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 7:41 am
You’re all smoking funny stuff.
Comment by Western Man — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 1:11 pm
My goodness, when did healthy debate result in the childish behavior I am witnessing on blogs. Name calling or critizing someone you have never met just results in angry words. Polls seem to bring out the worse in people as everyone wants their candidate to win or interjects their perceptions of the facts into a conversation. But for someone like me who has not made a choice as to who will get my vote this whole process is turning me off. I have voted in every election since I was legal age to vote and I am 51 now. I was reading that their are already promises from the electoral college on votes with Obama leading by a healthy margin. So would someone explain to me why we are voting as a candidate can win the popular vote and lose the election by electoral votes. It seems to me the candidates can quit fundraising and just court those who hold those votes as we are just wasting our time. I may simply not vote this year as none of our votes will really count anyways so whats all the polls and hype about?
“Today, the individual party candidates for Elector are seldom listed
on the ballot. Instead, the expression “Electors for” usually appears in fine
print on the ballot in front of each set of candidates for president and vice
president (or else the State law specifies that votes cast for the candidates
are to be counted as being for the slate of delegates pledged to those
candidates). It is still true, however, that voters are actually casting their
votes for the Electors for the presidential and vice presidential candidates of
their choice rather than for the candidates themselves.” retrieved at http://www.fec.gov/pdf/eleccoll.pdf dont take my word read it for yourself.
Comment by Marlene Stewart — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 1:49 pm