Round One: (Pennsylvania)Fence-sitters tilt toward a vote for McCain

The Morning Call ^ | September 27, 2008 | Josh Drobnyk and Brian Callaway

[2ndDivisionVet]

To a critical sliver of voters gathered at Muhlenberg College, Friday's debate provided a slight boost for Republican John McCain but left him and Democrat Barack Obama with much to do to sway fence-sitters in the next five weeks.

More than a dozen undecided voters gathered in a lecture hall, where they recorded their immediate reactions to the presidential candidates' responses using number keypads.

Six of the 14 voters said they were more likely to vote for McCain after the 90-minute session, with four saying the same of Obama. Four said they remained unswayed.

Bruce Glazier, a registered Republican from Upper Macungie Township who has voted Democratic in the past two presidential elections, said he was leaning more strongly toward McCain.

''McCain seemed a little more polished. He really unflapped [Obama] quite a few times,'' said Glazier, who works in credit and collections. ''I just felt Obama lost it. He is not as believable as McCain.''

Lynn Koehler, a 53-year-old registered Democrat from Lower Saucon Township, was undecided about whom to vote for before the debate. Afterward, she was leaning ''slightly more'' toward Obama.

''Because of how thoughtful he was,'' she said. ''He definitely seemed to know more than I thought.''

All 14 voters assembled by Muhlenberg College's Institute of Public Opinion were self-described undecided voters. Nine were registered Democrats, five were registered Republicans. They rated their answers on a scale of 1 through 5 on numbered keypads.

Christopher Borick, the institute's director, stressed that it provided an unscientific glimpse into how fence-sitters in a crucial region viewed the first head-to-head of the general election.

-snip-

Afterward, five said they thought McCain had won the debate, versus two for Obama.(continued)

[jveritas]

McCain wins Pennsylavania and the elections is over.

[Tribune7]

ping

[Tribune7]

ping

[keepitreal]

“Obama just had like a 5-minute commercial during the Phillies game.”

How many folks are going to sit through a five minute commercial during a game? It’s the perfect opportunity to make a sandwich, pop a bag of popcorn, open a beer, use the restrooom, and still have time to walk the dog, without missing a minute of the action.

[GnL]

I think using the restroom during an Obama ad is the most appropriate use of that time.

[patriotspride]

” Puts Luntz’s stupid rigged presentation for FOX straight. This is based on reality, Luntz’s was clearly off in a big way. Time to give him the ax.”

Had the same thought. Frank knows he blew it, but had to cover some way so they will use him again.

I particularly saw how close the vote response was on the strong McCain clip he used, and the fact that even on the strong Obama one ( you made mistakes on Afghan) the spread was only 6 pts, and well above his magic 50 mark.

Then to use the summary of one female respondent later on as representing the group was really pushing it.

I think Franks a Dem in disguise....................

[shield]

Debaters do not look at their opponents, they look at the moderator and audience.

It also gave McCain the advantage and threw 0 off considerably.

[Temple Owl]

I’ve been talking to “Upstate Pennsylvanians” who have been raised as Democrats for generations. They are voting for McCain.

[TAdams8591]

This is such good news. : )

[Born Conservative]

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as a region is ALWAYS blue for Presidential elections.

Biden just appeared in Wilkes-Barre this past week (20 minutes south of his “hometown” of Scranton). The media “estimated” that there were 500 in attendance. I was talking to a person who was there, and he said there were more like 200, including the press. Add that to the fact that this is Hillary country, and there are a lot of pissed off Dems who wanted her as the candidate, and later the VP candidate, and it ain’t lookin’ too good for Barry and Gaffe-O-Matic.

Pennsylvania is a swing state, and WB/Scranton is THE swing region. If McCain/Palin prevail up here, Barry can kiss the election good-bye.

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.

[Brookhaven]

Someone needs to inform Lunz that his audience is getting stacked. That post debate audience was one of the most stacked I’ve ever seen.

Someone yell “Go McCain”. Nobody who was undecided going into this shifted so far that they are yelling about.

One lady said “I couldn’t believe how old McCain looked” and man said “I didn’t realize how much McCain looked and sounded like Bush because of his gestures”. C’mon. Those were both right out of the Dem talking points (and both wrong btw.) Both of those people were plants.