Polls Show Obama Clear Winner in First Debate with McCain, Many Pundits Agree

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Pundits will say what they will, but the hard numbers from polls taken immediately after last night's debate between Barack Obama and John McCain show Obama the clear winner. A CNN/Research Corporation poll showed 51% of viewers thought Obama performed better in the debate overall while 38% thought McCain performed better, with higher marks for Obama also on the war Iraq, the economy, and the current financial crisis. Women in the CNN poll showed a particular preference for Obama, voting 59% for Obama to 41% for McCain. Meanwhile, a CBS News poll of uncommitted voters shows Obama won 39% to McCain's 24% with 37% saying the debate was a draw. On the economy, Obama led McCain in the CBS poll 66% to 42%. A Media Curves poll shows independent voters favoring Obama in the debate 61% to 39% overall, with independents giving Obama significantly higher marks also on foreign policy and national security as well as on the economy. An Insider Advantage poll showed a more narrow win for Obama over McCain, 42% to 41% with 17% undecided. Focus groups by GOP pollster Frank Luntz and Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg both also declared Obama the winner.

Many prominent political pundits have also called the debate for Obama. The New York Times editiorial board named Obama the winner particularly on the economy and wrote that McCain seemed out of step with the times. "Mr. McCain fumbled his way through the economic portion of the debate, while Mr. Obama seemed clear and confident," the Times observes, noting also that "McCain's talk of experience too often made him sound like a tinny echo of the 20th century." At ABC News, liberal pundit George Stephanopoulos and conservative pundit George Will both called the debate a win for Obama, as did Time's Joe Klein. "On this night," Klein writes, "Obama emerged as a candidate who was at least as knowledgeable, judicious and unflappable as McCain on foreign policy ... and more knowledgeable, and better suited to deal with the economic crisis and domestic problems the country faces." Pundits took particular issue with McCain's manner during the debate, noting his unwillingness to look Obama in the eye; a sneering, smirking attitude of apparent anger and disdain toward Obama; and a lack of grace or presidential bearing on McCain's part which contrasted sharply with the grace and bearing shown by Obama (see Washington Post, Huffington Post, BarackObama.com).