Initial reaction to the second presidential debate is in and Barack Obama has won a decisive victory over John McCain. This is according to CNN polling reported on the air. The figures do not appear on their website yet, so I do not have links for you. These numbers were reported by correspondents Soledad O'Brien and Nora O'Donnell; I took notes by hand. Here are some of the most important findings.
Obama had huge advantages overall and on domestic issues. The key questions included: Who did better in the debate? Obama 54, McCain 30. Who would do a better job on the financial crisis? Obama 57, McCain 36. Who would do a better job on the economy? Obama 59, McCain 37.
Obama similarly outscored McCain on personal qualities. The questions were: Who was more likable? Obama 64, McCain 28. Who spent more time attacking? McCain 63, Obama 17.
Respondents were evenly split on foreign and security questions. Who would do a better job handling Iraq? Obama 51, McCain 47. Who would do a better job handling terrorism? McCain 51, Obama 47.
A telling breakdown on "Who won the debate" by party demonstrated Obama's decisive advantage among the crucial bloc of independent voters. Democrats answered Obama 85, McCain 5, a 17-1 ratio. Republicans answered McCain 64, Obama 16, only a 4-1 ratio. Independents answered Obama 54, McCain 28, nearly 2-1 for Obama.
If these results are anywhere close to accurate for the public at large, the outcome for tonight's debate is nothing less than disastrous for the Arizona Senator. With early voting and absentee balloting already underway in many states, McCain needed a clear boost, and he does not appear to have gotten it. If this verdict is confirmed by the national polls coming out over the next three days, it will all but mean the death knell for McCain's chances.
3 comments:
McCain looked very nervous last night, almost like a cat caged up. I think he felt this was a make or break debate and he wanted to make sure he didn't spend precious seconds even getting up from his stool.
My students felt he was rude at one point, talking about a vote and pointing to Obama and saying, "That one." as opposed to naming the Senator by name.
Yes, the whole dynamic is terribly frustrating for him. I think McCain feels he "deserves" the presidency and he greatly resents that he is somehow behind Obama, whom he sees as a young upstart.
That's probably true. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he thinks that George W is a young upstart as well.
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