[West Coast Conservative]

More good news in the poll.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/polls/2004-09-30-debate-poll.htm

[CaptSkip]

Dammit, where can I click and vote?

[sinkspur]

That's good. The debate doesn't matter.

I'm very relieved.

[pantseatflyer]

[Williams]

Still saddens me people think Kerry "won." By what criteria if after listening you still think Bush would do a better job? Doesn't seem like it could be on substance.

[flashbunny]

the purpose of the debate is not to win the debate, it's to win the election.

Bush won the debate handily if you have it in proper perspective. He stood his ground while kerry flailed away. Kerry came across as mean and negative, bush came across as composed and presidential.

[skaterboy]

Its a snap poll for gods sakes it means nothing

wait for a few days and see how they come out

[Richard Axtell]

Bush was too diplomatic, Lehrer was too biased, and Kerry was too stupid to realize that his entire Iraq plan is DOA... because it is based on a lie- that France, Germany, Russia or China would ever do anything but veto involvement in Iraq. The bribed don't stick their necks out, Mr. Kerry. So, your plan for Iraq is just so much dust in the wind. Perhaps you can think of another, after you know the outcome, of course.

[luknskill]

I still don't understand the glee coming from the libs and the gloom from the Republicans! I found it very clear that Kerry came across as a Pre 911 candidate. Bush came across as a Post 911 candidate! Kerry said he would give Iran Nuke Fuel for crying out loud. Has anyone forgot N Korea and the results of such a decision?

[Jet Jaguar]

LOL! Bush still leads.
Bush did a fine job. He stated his positions in a clear manner.

My wife put it best, "Bush is talking to us", "Kerry is trying to convince us."

[concerned about politics]

Kerry made flip flops, lies, and errs. Bush played it safe. It ain't over until the press, talk radio, and the Internet bloggers tear this debate apart. Add a few points for Bush by the end of the week.

[Jewels1091]

Hopefully most people feel this way...the internals look good for Bush...Lord, please hear my prayer.

[snarkytart]

Is this a phone poll? I do not trust an immediate response poll, especially with people watching the media do their Kerry won" spin, then turning around answering a poll question about the debate. What else are they going to say? Lets wait a few days to see where the numbers are.

[jimbokun]

Just to play devil's advocate, Kerry did have 46% people say the debate gave them a more favorable impression of him. Besides "winning" the debate, that's really the only other thing I see strongly in his favor.

[GVnana]

The article is headlined, "Kerry Still Holds Lead.." but the survey results don't show that Bush lost anything. How can Kerry hold a lead he doesn't have?

[Recovering_Democrat]

Here is my quick read on the poll results...termed in an advantage or disadvantage for Bush.

Two BIG Bush negatives:
Which candidate expressed themselves clearly? -28
Do you feel more favorable for one of the candidates? -25

Now for the positives:
Agrees with you? +3
More believable? +5
Fair criticism of his opponent? +5
More likable? +7
Tough enough for job? +17

Of course, these are flash polls. How the campaigns handle the coming days is important.

I always knew we'd hear how "John Kerry won this debate!" as soon as it was over. The press is SO predictable!

[Matt32]

Ah, interesting. Look carefully at this poll and how it compares to past results. Immediately after the 2000 debates they actually had Gore up as the clear winner, 48 to 41. In 1992 it was Perot (!) with 47%. Also, tonight's debate failed to make anyone less favorable about either candidate (13% like Kerry less, 17% like Bush less). That's bad for Kerry, he needed some significant movement away from Bush tonight.

[Truthsearcher]

Bush wins post debate on "More Likeable", "Agrees with you more on the issues you care about", "Demonstrated he's tough enough for the job", and "More Beliveable".


Seems to me that Kerry didn't make a dent.

[TomEwall]

Kerry looked better than Bush. He was more polished. But the only one who said stupid things was Kerry. The "global test" thing was particularly stupid.

[tomnbeverly]

Kerry sounded like he read from a script... He is the quintisential politician... will lie right to your face ... blah blah blah... and I'm John Kerry and you should just trust me blah blah blah... He is an empty suit...

George W Bush came off as Human and humble and decisive and REAL... So the question is do you want a president that is a leader and real or do you want a fake empty suit...

[Use It Or Lose It]

Fact checkers on alphabets and CNN were finding many untruths that Kerry told. If they're doing it, things are not as bleak as we would think. Even goofy Bill Schneider had to repeat to gaggy Aaron Brown that only $125 billion has been spent in Iraq and that it will take 10 years to spend the $200 billion that Kerry keeps whining about. The truth will surface...give it time.