Three Out of Four Ain't Bad: Obama/Biden Win Third of Four Debates

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Poll numbers indicate that the Obama/Biden campaign has handily won its third of four presidential and vice-presidential debates. A CNN/Research Corporation poll showed 54% of viewers thought Obama performed better in the debate while 30% thought McCain performed better, up significantly in CNN polling from Obama's 51% to 38% win over McCain in the first presidential debate Sept. 26. Meanwhile, a CBS News poll of uncommitted voters shows Obama won 40% to McCain's 26% with 34% saying the debate was a draw, a similar result to the Sept. 26 CBS poll (Obama 39%, McCain 24%). A Media Curves poll shows independent voters favoring Obama in the debate 52% to 34%, down somewhat from the Sept. 26 Media Curves poll (Obama 61%, McCain 39%) but still a sizeable lead for Obama. As the Huffington Post reports, state focus groups by NBC News in Pennsylvania, Survey USA in Washington, and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner in Nevada likewise broke decisively for Obama (PA 60%-40%, WA 54%-29%, NV 38%-30%). Even a Fox News focus group showed a clear majority of raised hands for Obama, a result that reporters at Fox seemed to have a little trouble processing. With three debates down and only one to go as Election Day rapidly approaches, it would seem that McCain's hopes for a "game changer" are growing dim indeed.