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Post Debate Polls: Obama Wins

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 10:46:03 PM EST
Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, 2008 (all tags)
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Post Debate Polls are coming in:

  • CNN: Obama 54, McCain 30.
  • CBS: Obama won among undecideds, 40% to 26%.
    Forty percent of the 516 uncommitted voters surveyed identified Barack Obama as tonight's winner; 26 percent said John McCain won, while 35 percent saw the debate as a draw. (As you might have noticed, these percentages add up to 101 percent; the reason for the additional percentage point is rounding of each of the individual totals.)

    After the debate, 68 percent of uncommitted voters said that they think Obama will make the right decisions on the economy, compared to 55 percent who said that before the debate. Fewer thought McCain would do so – 48 percent after the debate, and 41 percent before.

You know Obama won when even the right-wing blog Powerline says so.

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    Post Debate Polls: Obama Wins | 56 comments (56 topical)

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    Obama won... (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by prose on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:06:42 PM EST
    but my personally favorite moment of the night was when Gibbs destroyed Hannity over the Ayers nonsense.  I think Hannity goes home and drinks himself to sleep tonight.  Tonight was a great night to be an Obama supporter.

    link to video? (none / 0) (#5)
    by Nathan In Nola on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:11:30 PM EST


    Parent
    Here's the video (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by prose on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:14:42 PM EST
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjzC3Wj_XcE&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/7/234715/9 29/939/623509

    Just plain awesome.   When Gibbs hands Hannity the paper he brought with him I about fell over.  It was glorious on the level of John Stewart on Crossfire.

    Parent

    Ahh... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Thanin on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:23:22 PM EST
    they gotta get a better video of that up cause when I watched it the sound was off, but from what I could tell it looked hilarious.

    Parent
    thank you! (none / 0) (#9)
    by Nathan In Nola on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:24:38 PM EST
    wow, that was incredible... thanks for the link!

    agreed that it's a great night.

    Parent

    What made it so great (none / 0) (#42)
    by samtaylor2 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 07:40:14 AM EST
    Was that Fox couldn't change the volume of the speakers like they did to Barney Frank

    Parent
    not (none / 0) (#6)
    by prose on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:12:20 PM EST
    up yet.  I'll post one when I see it.


    Parent
    Here you go... via POLITICO (none / 0) (#20)
    by EddieInCA on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:04:19 AM EST
    http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Gibbs_vs_Hannity.html?showall

    Parent
    Interesting (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Steve M on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:40:52 PM EST
    Marc Ambinder reports:

    McCain uses "that one" frequently in his stump speeches; the set-up is usually clearer, as McCain refers to Obama's being one of the senators who supported it, not McCain -- as in, if you had to guess who supported the Bush-Cheney '05 energy bill, it's that senator, not this senator. But it came off awkwardly on stage tonight.

    "Awkwardly" is a big-time understatement.  But I will at least take this information in a reality-based way and refrain from running around screaming that it was a white supremacist gang sign or something.

    So, what did you think of Sen. Obama (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:47:48 PM EST
    saying Sen. McCain thinks "I'm green behind the ears."  [Italics added.]

    Parent
    I thought (none / 0) (#15)
    by Steve M on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:52:23 PM EST
    that it was a pretty tongue-tied moment!

    Parent
    Sorry... (none / 0) (#25)
    by Thanin on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:37:49 AM EST
    I guess Im just not getting this.  What is the problem with the green behind the ears comment?

    Parent
    It is a mix-up (none / 0) (#26)
    by Steve M on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:44:44 AM EST
    of two cliches that both mean "rookie": "green" and "wet behind the ears."

    Parent
    Ahh yeah... (none / 0) (#28)
    by Thanin on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:49:37 AM EST
    ok I thought oculus was saying this was a subtle equivalent "that one" moment on Obamas part.

    Parent
    I figured someone (that one) might (none / 0) (#31)
    by oculus on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 01:12:43 AM EST
    opine Obama was "playing the race card."  Who knows?

    Parent
    Not to be thick or anything, but are (none / 0) (#41)
    by JoeA on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 07:05:04 AM EST
    you suggesting that you think Obama was "playing the race card" with his green behind the ears remark, rather than just a malapropism?

    I know you're not the biggest fan of Obama but I'll cut you some slack and assume you were joking.

    Parent

    I'm not suggesting it. Just (none / 0) (#52)
    by oculus on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 02:46:09 PM EST
    anticipating.  What I really thought was steve m or larryinnyc might come back with something about martians.  

    Parent
    aaah thats what I thought. (none / 0) (#55)
    by JoeA on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 08:11:10 PM EST
    I was just wondering if I had missed some obscure potential racial subtext and you were actually serious.  Never mind ... move along, nothing to see here.

    Parent
    I think Obama just ... (none / 0) (#39)
    by Robot Porter on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 05:27:21 AM EST
    might be admitting that he's a Vulcan.

    Obama does have a Spock vibe about him.

    Parent

    lollerskates (none / 0) (#50)
    by phatpay on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 01:38:00 PM EST
    Totally!
    Thanks for the laugh.

    Oh, and Coral Gables, I think they shook hands.
    At least it appeared that way to me.
    They just did it in front of Brokaw while he was trying to read his final comments.
    Brokaw had to admonish them to get out of his way so he could finish. So they had come together for something. I'd have to think it was a handshake.

    I think Obama won.
    Of course, listening to McCain rail on to "my friends" I find condescending. If you're trying to convince me to vote for you and your policies, don't do it with platitudes.


    Parent

    It was anger (none / 0) (#13)
    by CoralGables on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:49:44 PM EST
    His policies I totally disagree with but those can be debated. "That One" was anger and not shaking hands after the debate was anger. McCain lacks the temperament for what we need in a President.

    I've always felt confident in the eventual outcome but I will go along with BTD and Larry now. It's over for McCain/Palin.

    Parent

    Well (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Steve M on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:51:49 PM EST
    Okay, but Andrew Sullivan seems to have a photo of Obama and McCain shaking hands after the debate, so be careful not to succumb to the power of narrative...

    Parent
    Watching video when they came face to face. (none / 0) (#16)
    by CoralGables on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:54:58 PM EST
    Obama extends his hand and McCain brushes him off towards his wife. I did see a handshake at the start.

    Parent
    Link (none / 0) (#19)
    by Steve M on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:02:14 AM EST
    is here.

    Parent
    Admittedly (none / 0) (#21)
    by CoralGables on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:06:33 AM EST
    I should have refrained as both weren't always on my screen as the camera panned around. Sure was an awkward sight though when they both appeared on camera.

    Parent
    It is very clear to me (none / 0) (#22)
    by Steve M on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:11:49 AM EST
    that McCain has no respect for this punk kid, none whatsoever.

    Parent
    Agree (none / 0) (#30)
    by cal1942 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 01:04:20 AM EST
    he treats him in a generally dismissive manner.

    Parent
    Yeeeesh (none / 0) (#51)
    by phatpay on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 01:48:09 PM EST
    it looks like McCain is sizing up whether his septuagenarian body has a chance at beating Obama in a fistfight.

    Not that Obama looks much better in that picture.
    He appears to be thinking, "That one, eh?"

    Parent

    They absolutely shook hands... (none / 0) (#24)
    by wellfleetsurf on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:20:38 AM EST
    and you can see it as McCain and Obama come together while Brokaw is wrapping up, hence the 'guys, you're in front of my screen' comment he makes.  The camera didn't catch it, but watching HULU it's right there.  So the hand-shake "snub" wasn't that.  McCain is clearly seen saying "We already shook hands," after he directs Obama to his wife.  Look again and you'll see it.  And by the way, Obama did great.  

    Parent
    And since I'm being fair... (none / 0) (#29)
    by Steve M on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:56:56 AM EST
    Ben Smith:

    A Republican official emails, on background:

        The most memorable line of the night belonged to John McCain. McCain pointed out that "That One" vote for the 05 energy bill. Look for Republicans to note in coming days that "That One" also voted for higher taxes at least 94 times; "That One" has associations with unrepentant terrorists, etc...



    Parent
    What is this word "fair". . . (none / 0) (#43)
    by LarryInNYC on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 08:25:32 AM EST
    you keep saying, and why are you using it in the context of a political contest?

    Parent
    It's shocking how many (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by koshembos on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:49:39 PM EST
    Republican there are around after the shellacking we got in the last 8 years. It must be Hell here.

    The headline that has me (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by mg7505 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 02:19:48 AM EST
    worried is this one, on the front page of NYT:

    In a muted debate, Senator Barack Obama faulted a zeal for deregulation, while Senator John McCain offered a mortgage rescue plan.

    Er, shouldn't Obama be the one offering a rescue plan (HOLC...)?

    But I'm glad Obama won the debate anyway, despite missing this opportunity. I think he'll seize it next time.

    I don't think it will get any traction (none / 0) (#38)
    by s5 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 02:40:47 AM EST
    It sounded to me like McCain was saying "hey guys! look at me over here! I can have a plan too!". I don't think anyone will take it seriously, and I doubt McCain takes it seriously himself.

    Parent
    The flash polls have changed pres politics (none / 0) (#1)
    by magster on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 10:55:32 PM EST
    The post debate chatter has to adapt to instant feedback rather than create the narrative for us.  McCain is being killed in these polls and by the adapted narrative about the debates.

    *All* the CNN partisans called it for Obama (none / 0) (#2)
    by Karningul on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 10:57:51 PM EST
    Even Leslie Sanchez, who has been an unrepentant McCain apologist.

    IIND PREZ DEBATE (none / 0) (#3)
    by intensiveks on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:02:25 PM EST
    If both OBAMA and McCain were the AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS directing an Aircraft called AMERICA IN DISTRESS,how do you think the ATC Signals would be to the Captain of AID?
    John McCain: Listen my fellow Americans,look at all the times in the last 8 years Americans have "believed" in themselves and landed safely,so also now,follow me.
    Obama: Please lower your landing speed,then lower your landing gear,follow the landing lights,and generally brake to stop the AID Aircraft.
    Such was the difference in the attitudes of the two debaters in round II of the Prez debate.

    at this point in the game, (none / 0) (#17)
    by cpinva on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:55:53 PM EST
    if you're still undecided, you're probably too stupid to be allowed to vote.

    the older i get, the more i start to believe the authors of the constitution maybe had it right: to vote, you had to be a person of education and substance. with a few tweaks (make it anyone, not just white males), it could be updated.

    The Constitution (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by cal1942 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 01:37:18 AM EST
    didn't say anything about property requirements for the vote.  Qualifications for the franchise (property, gender, race) were set by each individual state.

    Inasmuch as education and substance are concerned I couldn't more strongly disagree.

    My father never went past the eighth grade and owned no property.  He had a solid grasp of every issue and was NEVER undecided in any election.

    Born in 1908 he lost his father in 1911. His mother supported 7 children by doing laundry.  Every kid had to find work as soon as possible.  My father had his first job at age 10.

    All too often, even today, circumstance and lack of opportunity dictate educational achievement and accumulation of wealth.

    I had people on my staff with BAs and BSs who were impatient with and confused by politics and simply never made the effort to understand. They always had trouble making decisions at election time.  They felt that voting was simply another chore that they performed grudgingly.

    What do you think was level of education and wealth held by the on camera undecideds?

    It was easy to tell that some of them were confused but they were well dressed and had a reasonable command of the language. Only one finally reached a decision.

    Parent

    Grim times these days, but tonight (none / 0) (#18)
    by jpete on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:59:52 PM EST
    the right person won.

    focus groups of voters (none / 0) (#23)
    by txpublicdefender on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:12:14 AM EST
    These focus groups of undecided voters are starting to get infuriating.  One guy on MSNBC kept lamenting about how he wished both candidates would have given more specifics.  Give me a break!  If you want specifics, go to their goddamn websites where they lay out their plans and policies in great detail.  You are not going to get detailed policy plans in a debate where you have so little time to answer the question.  If you care so much about specifics, care enough to take the time to seek them out instead of spending your free time getting yourself on TV!

    I think my favorite moment from the focus group chat, though, was when Chris Matthews asked the focus group participants if it bothered them when candidates didn't answer the questions asked, but instead went off on a tangent to give one of their prepared speeches.  Some old lady answered by going completely off the question and saying she thought we should kill bin Laden no matter where he was!  

    Also, I watched as Norah O'Donnell polled the people in their focus group and asked people to raise their hands for Obama or McCain on who won, and they appeared to be about 5-1 in favor of Obama, and then Norah said it looked like it was about 60-40 to her.  Huh?

    This happened on Fox last night (none / 0) (#44)
    by prose on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 08:42:52 AM EST
    They called a vote "split" where about 1/4 of the hands were for McCain.

    Parent
    Obama did well... (none / 0) (#27)
    by reynwrap582 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:49:33 AM EST
    McCain not so much.  Brokaw worst of all.  The whining about the candidates going over time was not endearing in the least, it was just annoying.  Either he needed to control the candidates more actively or he just needed to shush up about it.

    Plus, the fact that McCain made a series of vicious personal attacks and distortions against Obama, and Brokaw wouldn't allow Obama a moment to respond?  I don't care what the agreements are in advance, you're the frikken moderator.  They should have just replaced him with a computer printing out questions on little slips of paper, probably would have saved quite a bit of money instead of paying the guy.

    Both (none / 0) (#34)
    by cal1942 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 01:49:21 AM EST
    Brokaw and Ifill behaved as though the prohibition against follow-up questions somehow relieved them of any responsibility to actually moderate the debates.

    Ifill didn't seem to have any interest in asking Palin to actually answer the question presented.  She must have mistakenly assumed that such a request was a follow-up question.

    The same for Brokaw.  He didn't seem to understand that he should have controlled rebuttals and insured fairness.

    Easy work for the money.

    Parent

    ugh, Brokaw (none / 0) (#33)
    by s5 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 01:44:17 AM EST
    Brokaw ruined the debate. Instead of facilitating exchanges between the candidates or the candidates talking to the audience, he scolded the candidates about "the rules" and time limits.

    F the rules! I want to hear the candidates talk and respond to the issues that come up. When Obama had to argue with Brokaw to get in a follow-up, that was a real low point and a sign of just how poor of a moderator Brokaw is. The debate is about the candidates having a chance to explain their ideas and argue with the other candidate's ideas. Brokaw obstructed the process every step of the way.

    And in what way was that a town hall? Brokaw made no effort to get the audience involved in the discussion.

    This isn't about favoring Obama or favoring McCain. Brokaw did a disservice to everyone, regardless of the candidate they support. Brokaw is truly a disgrace.

    He and his staff also did a terrible job (none / 0) (#35)
    by cal1942 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 01:50:37 AM EST
    selecting questions.

    Parent
    ugu,Brokaw...s5 (none / 0) (#54)
    by WifeMotherof4 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 05:49:08 PM EST
    People like you... the reason there is voter fraud. You don't care about the rules...the democrats cheat every election...ACORN and then look for hanging chads...How dare you say that about the rules...Obama knew the rules of the debate before going in.

    Parent
    Off topic, but Richard Quest (none / 0) (#36)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 02:03:23 AM EST
    and crew are freaking out on CNN.

    Apparently the worldwide economy is continuing to melt down.

    debate (none / 0) (#40)
    by carolo on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 06:48:21 AM EST
    I noticed several things that bothered me watching the debate.

    I noticed neither Michelle or Cindy even looked at each other.  I noticed Michelle shaking hands with guests while Cindy stood around like the ice maiden.  I saw Obama put his hand out to shake hands with McCain and as he stood there, McCain would not take his hand.  Cindy finally shook it.  Of course McCain's reference to Obama as "that one" and then his running from the hall as soon as the debate ended as Obama and Michelle talked with people.

    I think McCain is one ornery old guy who has nothing to offer.  He needs to retire and Palin needs to run as Girl Scout Camp Leader.

    Why? (none / 0) (#45)
    by CoralGables on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 09:41:52 AM EST

    Palin needs to run as Girl Scout Camp Leader.

    Why such disdain for the Girl Scouts? I'm sure we can find another position where she could do less damage to the next generation of leaders :)

    Parent

    Round Two (none / 0) (#46)
    by caesar on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 10:37:56 AM EST
    Anyone who has the capability to view the conditions in the US and around the world from a Middle Class US citizens' perpspective would have seen that Obama clearly is the only politician left standing with a plan for American citizens to get us ALL out of the mess the Republicans left for us, and John Mccain does not. He is simply copying Obama's change under the guise of his "reform." Even a mentally challenged individual could see that this is just wool over their eyes - oh wait... there are still people who like Mccain, I take that back.
    Democrats always have to come in and clean up after the Republicans mess... why is that?

    caesar (none / 0) (#48)
    by WifeMotherof4 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:34:52 PM EST
    It was the fault of the democrat congress! And what about the irresponsible people who bought homes they could not afford???

    Parent
    Scary (none / 0) (#47)
    by WifeMotherof4 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:27:38 PM EST
    You people of the left are scary...Obama voted to allow a baby to lie in a utility room of a hospital to die. He voted that the baby is not to be helped. The fact that the baby was murdered in the first place is bad, the murder fails and Obama says finish it off. What is wrong with you people?? Why not welcome a life? What do you all do to your children? Are they in your way, you cant afford them? SICK!!!!!! THINK about it!  Would any of you allow this in a vet clinic? Of course not, you love your dogs more than humans.

    Actually, (none / 0) (#49)
    by JThomas on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:53:55 PM EST
    my child is in Baghdad serving in George Bush's folly. And he has seen his mates die right in front of him, in this war started by George Bush in which for the first time in our history, America invaded a sovereign nation that had not attacked us or our ally. Now that is sick. Of course, causing the deaths of post-natal americans is no problem to you,evidently.

    And btw, your facts are wrong on Obama. Have a nice day.

    Parent

    JThomas (none / 0) (#53)
    by WifeMotherof4 on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 03:10:10 PM EST
    You see no difference in an innocent baby and your son who signed up on his own to serve his country? Of course people are sorry about the loss of any life. Very sad, but they did sign up. These babies suffer with no one to help. I know that any soldier who is down will receive help.

    I am NOT wrong about Mr. Obama, he and his wife hate this country as it is and has been for 200 years and they want to change it. You must love socialism. My husband came from nothing and has worked for everything he has, Obama thinks it is his right to take from us. BTW we give away thousands of dollars a year...so don't even go to the your so selfish mode, you know not the shoes we walk in.

    Obama even said last night in the debate, that there will always be countries who do not agree with our way of life, the same is true concerning the poor, they will always be with us. Taking more and more from the rich to give to the poor is pity and pity never helps anyone. Some do not want to improve their lives, why should the ones who do be punished? Yes, we should help, but to what end?? Enough is enough... Did you spoil your children, or tell them to work and wait? I bet you have a really wonderful son...may God's protection be with him.

    Obama does not care about the unborn or newly born...truth, he even said a baby would be a punishment to his girls...look it up. Maybe he should teach them to take responsibility for their mistakes. Oh yea, he does not think people should be responsible for their own lives...he wants the people who make good choices to take care of the people who don't give a damn.

    See: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,407882,00.html  

    www.jillstanek.com  

    Parent

    Corporate Lobbyist money & corruption (none / 0) (#56)
    by sailingwindward on Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 11:32:57 PM EST
    I would like to know from one of these two(2) candidates, which one is willing to make it a crime to receive money from any lobbyist and/or special interest groups, it is this money that is drowning out the voice of the American people. The economic mess we are in today is a direct result of our lawmakers, writing bad laws that only help the people who gave them the money (This is called bribery by another name).
    Every problem today, and I can do a list to show how lobbyists directly caused the problem
    1. Unemployment : Foreign lobbyist paid Congress to change the rules, and remove tariffs from all imports, so now we have to compete against the lowest wages in the world (That's why everything comes from China) and the U.S. Chamber of commerce lobbyist's are fighting not to deport illegal aliens, because they are cheep labor for manufacturing.
    2. Wall Street bail out: Bank lobbyist paid to have all regulations lifted, and this is what we got.
    3. Our Security: foreign lobbyist for Northrop Grumman paid the Air force millions of dollars to rig a bid for a new air re-fuel tanker against Boeing. I can go on, and on, but that would take all night.      


    Post Debate Polls: Obama Wins | 56 comments (56 topical)

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