Posted on 09/28/2008 11:47:38 AM PDT by Chet 99
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The winner of the first Presidential debate was moderator and PBS television personality Jim Lehrer. After earlier polls showing that most voters expect the moderators to be biased, 76% say Lehrer was neutral. Seven percent (7%) thought he tried to help Obama, 3% thought he tried to help McCain and 14% were not sure.
Among those who watched the entire debate, 85% thought Lehrer maintained his neutrality.
As for the candidates, 36% thought Obama won, 33% gave the advantage to McCain, and 31% were not sure. Partisans in the electorate lined up behind their candidate in a way that would make spin room handlers proud. By a 67% to 3% margin, Obama supporters thought he won the debate. By a 73% to 2% margin, McCain voters thought their man came out ahead (crosstabs available for Premium Members).
Overall, ratings for the debate were down, possibly because of the Friday night scheduling. Fifty-five percent (55%) of likely voters say they watched the entire event and 12% said they saw none of it.
Five percent (5%) of voters say the debate changed how they would vote, but the changes were equally divided between Obama and McCain supporters. Saturday interviews for the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll—the first post debate interviews--suggest that little has changed following the debate and Obama retains a modest lead over McCain.
While the debate was scheduled to focus on national security issues, the first 39 minutes were spent discussing the economic turmoil that has shaken the nation. Forty-four percent (44%) of voters say they agree with Obama’s view on the proposed bailout bill while 40% agree with McCain. Other research shows that opposition to the bailout legislation continues to grow and voters are cynical about the motives of their political leaders.
They need to ask Sgt. Ryan D. Jopek’s mother and father who they thought won the debate.
According to my count, McCain looked at Obama exactly once during the debate. Snicker.
Don't blame him.
Who was the last presidential debate moderator that was not a liberal. I can't think of one, ever.
I thought Lahrer did a good job. I certainly like the format better than previous formats.
I too liked this format.
susie
According to my count, McCain looked at Obama exactly once during the debate.
Did he not also command them to look at one another? I can't find it in the transcript.
I agree, I thought it was going to be another OHB love-fest but Lehrer seemed impartial and it was nice not having to scream at the TV for a change.
Very surprised that Lahrer was even handed
I also liked the format. Too bad McCain and Obama didn't take advantage of it.
Media people are always trying to achieve a kumbaya-fest. I liked that McCain hardly looked at Obama and treated him like a young upstart.
It may not work in the other debates but I found it refreshing in this one and I was glad he ignored Lehrer's numerous promptings.
Who was the last presidential debate moderator that was not a liberal. I can't think of one, ever.Winner of the First Debate: Jim Lehrer
Journalists aren't "liberal," they are "objective." Of course, they define "objective" as being directly opposed to American conservatism, best expressed by Theodore Roosevelt in his famous"It is not the critic who counts . . . the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arenaOf course, journalists define "liberal" the same way - except that "objective" is always applied to journalists, and "liberal" is never applied to journalists.So in reality the moderators are uniformly hostile to conservatives. It's my settled opinion that the only "moderator" of a debate should be a chess timer controlling the microphones.
If McCain were to say all of that, he would not only win the debate, he would win the election. But he won’t say it. He’ll be speaking in the gentlemanly tones of Papa Bush 1992, and Bob Dole 1996. Business as usual. just like today’s votes. Two days later and I don’t remember anything Mac said during the debate, so it’s true, Jim Lehrer did win the debate.
Yeah Jim wanted the two to rouse it up a little.
He struck as being ready for the old folks home. Just ask the questions and STFU.
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