Snap Polls Give Debate Win To Obama
The post-debate snap polls are out, showing that Barack Obama won the debate.
In CNN's poll of debate-watchers, Obama won by a 54%-30% margin. In the CBS poll of uncommitted debate-watchers, Obama won 39%-27%.
The CNN poll's numbers were just read on TV, showing that Obama is seen as better on Iraq by 51%-47%, McCain has a 51%-46% edge on terrorism -- a subject where he's usually done much better than this -- and Obama wins 59%-37% on the economy. On the current financial crisis, Obama wins 57%-36%
Both the first presidential debate and the Veep debate showed the Dem winning -- and both were followed by the Democratic ticket gaining more and more in the polls.
Late Update: Some more numbers from the CNN poll were read just now on the air: Obama is seen as the stronger leader 54%-43%, and is more likable 65%-28%.
Pat Buchanan says Mccain won.
October 7, 2008 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wah! It's Pat Buchanan.
October 7, 2008 11:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course he says that. As long as McCain spoke in complete sentences, Buchanan would say that.
I really don't understand why MSNBC employs a known racist and Nazi sympathizer, but I guess that's why I'm not in management.
October 7, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course Pat thinks McCain won.
That's because, like McCain, when referring to a black guy, he tends to call him "that one" while pointing derisively.
October 7, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't either.
It's outrageous he is entitled to his views and polite society is entitled to shun him for his views.
October 7, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was for scientific
October 7, 2008 11:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's because MSNBC is geared at left-leaning viewers, and nobody makes the right side of the spectrum look more idiotic than Pat Buchanan.
October 7, 2008 11:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Same reason Skeletor McFeeble (Alan Colmes) represents the left on Fox.
October 7, 2008 11:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is an excellent point and one that I hadn't paused to fully consider before.
October 7, 2008 11:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's good... Pat's been consistent so far. Whenever he says that McCain or Palin won, then the polls show that Obama and Biden actually won, and their poll numbers go up. Let's hope the trend continues!
October 7, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
And can I say I've never seen Pat look less convinced of his convictions.
October 7, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rachel needs to give Buchanan the heave-ho and find another conservative talking head. He's an arrogant, rude blowhard.
October 7, 2008 11:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
No need to dispose of Pat yet. He's the perfect foil for Maddow. To put it another way, could you imagine Bugs Bunny without Elmer Fudd?
October 7, 2008 11:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I may be cwazy, but I'm not going to Alcatwaz!"
October 8, 2008 8:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perfect analogy. Plus, conservatives flipping around the channels might pause at MSNBC when Pat is on -- potentially luring them into the winsome rationality that is Rachel. She trounces him every time, without resorting to the typical bellicose theatrics of TV.
October 8, 2008 8:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
@Doofus: "... and find another conservative talking head. He's an arrogant, rude blowhard."
My, my, my Doofus, but you are being redundant.
October 8, 2008 1:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I case you haven't noticed, Buchanan doesn't know his ass from his face.
October 8, 2008 12:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
In case you haven't noticed, Buchanan doesn't know his ass from his face.
October 8, 2008 12:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, because McLame didn't drool.
Or, speaking of drooling, is it because he now has the hots for Palin? Have you heard him gush over her? I mean, really... It's disgusting to behold.
At least he seems finally to be over his thing for Hillary. That became ever so tiring for the six or eight months he gushed over her and declared her infinite superiority over Obama.
Of course, there is a rather common thread there: None of them are THAT ONE.
October 8, 2008 2:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Another step closer folks.
Heads down and pocket books open. It ain't over 'til its over.
October 7, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
"President Obama"
....
Just trying it out
October 7, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
according to david gergen on cnn we have to subtract 6 points because of Obama's "blackness"...no kidding...his "blackness"
October 7, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
"That one"?!?
McCain hath shot himself in the head and sustained himself a fatal injury.
October 7, 2008 11:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN poll also has Obama winning "who showed better leadership".
October 7, 2008 11:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
indeed...but his "blackness"? who says that?
October 7, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
WHAT IS WITH THE MCCAIN WHISTLING NOISES? I didn't watch the debate, but my mom caught a bit of it and was immediately put off by the horror of all the whistling noises coming from McCain's teeth as he talks. After she told me, I watched a few moments, and I was similarly grossed out.
I spent my evening watching quality television--"Janice Dickinson's Modeling Agency"--but if I'd had nothing good to watch I still might not have watched the debate because of...THE HORROR...THE HORROR...OF THE WHISTLING TEETH!!!!
Is he Terry Thomas, or something???
October 7, 2008 11:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was fixated on that, too, it seemed more like he couldn't catch his breath. I began to wonder if he might drop dead before the "debate" was over...
October 7, 2008 11:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Towards the end McCain wasn;t even walking out to the audience, but holding back by his chair, or even walking back behind is chair away from the audience...
What's up with that?
Tired would explain his staying by his chair. But walking behind his own chair away from the audience? I don't think one needs to be an expert in body language or psychology to figure it out.
All you have to do is watch the audience and snap polls, and know what McCain saw, and why he wanted to run away. And did, right after the debate.
October 8, 2008 12:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, that was bugging me too. I was like "Sit down, Gramps! You're in the picture!" as he meandered around during Obama's turns to speak. It was like was walking off a case of indigestion or a cramp in his leg.
October 8, 2008 7:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Most people with dentures sound that way. I hope by the time I have to get them someone figures out not to make all the surfaces so damn smooth.
October 7, 2008 11:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go for implants instead. God knows Cindy should have been able to afford them for McWheezy.
October 8, 2008 8:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
generation gap/knowledge gap:
the whistling may be due to an ill-fitting upper denture plate .... someone needs to send him some Fixodent?
October 8, 2008 12:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
No Surprise!!
One thing MSM and blogs to an extent are failing to convey: Obama will always have an upper hand going into these debates, because as Bill Clinton said he is on the right side of the history. On Iraq, On Economy, On Healthcare, On talking with Iran- he's with the American majority.
But he won not only on issues, but on style, substance, cohenrence and confidence. McCain, as Dave would say:"Someone mixed something in his Metamucil.
McCain managed to sink a little lower tonight with "that one." The hatred in his eyes was clearly visible.
Finally, again proud to be democrat and supporter of Barack Obama.
Another great night.
October 7, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't mind saying this, because it is well after family hour, but...
I am totally rock hard right now.
What a debate. Second only to the Clinton-Bush-Perot debate in 1992, when Clinton sealed the deal.
October 7, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
ROTFLMAO! I live for seeing your avatar. (but I'm not rock hard about it...)
October 7, 2008 11:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Andrew Sullivan says just as much. He calls it devastating for McCain. I agree.
October 7, 2008 11:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Death watch for McCain campaign on Charlie Rose.
October 7, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
what the fuck mccain meant by " that one "
October 7, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, to be charitable-he couldn't think of Obama's name but he knows that he's a candidate.
The other explanations are, well, not excellent news for McCain.
October 7, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's hard to tell them black folks apart, let alone remember their names!
Remember questioner Oliver? Later in McCain's response he became "Alan".
So Senator Obama is "that one" and I guess Oliver is "this one".
PEACE
October 8, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now *that's* funny!
October 8, 2008 1:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, it is an anagram for "hate not", but I doubt that's what he meant, given his grumpy grampy affect...
October 8, 2008 8:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is fortunate that there weren't a series townhall debates.
October 7, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess we won't hear anymore about that...(rolls eyes)
October 7, 2008 11:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama kicked ass. He is in control.
That said, lets drop this stupid "hand shake" thing. McCain and Obama shook hands immediately after the debate ended. That was clear. The thing with Cindy McCain was just an awkward moment of hand shaking confusion.
October 7, 2008 11:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
My immediate reaction upon the conclusion of the debate, as told to my wife, was, "Another tie". I was wrong on the first one when I said the same thing. Then I saw David Brooks (we were watching PBS) say that he thought Obama won. I thought, "Well, if Brooks says Obama won, it must be the opposite". It appears, based on both the polls and pundit reax, that Obama did, in fact, win.
Good for us. Although this was kind of boring.
October 7, 2008 11:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
"My immediate reaction upon the conclusion of the debate, as told to my wife, was, 'Another tie'."
I wouldn't argue with that. However, (pardon the sports metaphor please) it's like being in the 10th round of a championship boxing match and having the score for the round break even -- but one of the fighters is in the lead before that round started.
A tie = still being behind.
The championship rounds are still ahead and, while it looks like McLame is running out of steam, he can't continue to "tie" and win. He either has to knock out the champ, or return to some pretty cold halls in the Senate minority.
October 8, 2008 2:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
"That one" wow just saw that on highlights...not good sounded really snarky and demeaning
October 7, 2008 11:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also, the debate on healthcare cannot be overstated. While may not be fully captured in "punditry" and in polls- Obama sealed tonight on Healthcare.
October 7, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
His compelling story about his mother is what sealed the deal. I really believed that touched a lot of people.
October 7, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I watched the vid 3 times and no he did not shake hands with Obama - no he didn't.
He directed Obama to Cindy, they shook hands and McLame had already withdrawn his hand. He is not going to touch "that one."
October 7, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. I think Obama and his commanding lead is waking up the racists in McLame, Cindy, Palin and their supporters.
Look at the chutzpah of the nigger, "that one", who not only wants to run for but also win the "White" House.
Many of these people don't think a black man deserves to be the President and now it's becoming a little more clear.
I love that one. I want that one to win. That one rules.
October 7, 2008 11:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's what I saw, my friend.
October 7, 2008 11:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena,
They shook hands before that video clip, at the end of the debate while they were standing together and Brokaw whined about them being in front of his teleprompter.
October 7, 2008 11:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
If that's what you saw, I believe it and retract my criticism.
October 8, 2008 12:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
I noticed the "that one" thing right away and commented about it to my wife. He just couldn't hold the contempt in, not even for just 90 minutes.
October 7, 2008 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pat PukeCannon says McCain won.
On another note: Pat PukeCannon also thinks that the Confederacy won.
October 7, 2008 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
What does Gergen mean by subtracting 6 points for "blackness"?? Does he mean that we can't trust the polls because folks aren't saying what they really mean? (This is what I wake up in a cold sweat about in the middle of the night...)
October 7, 2008 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I think Gergen was referring to the Bradley effect, though that was a very awkward way to put it. But cut Gergen a little slack -- he has been very quick to overrule skepticism of other pundits on whatever panel he is on at the time and point out the "dog whistles" to racist elements that the McCain campaign has been using. He's being a realist, not a racist.
October 8, 2008 1:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Unless Obama wipes his rear end with the American flag during the final debate, I'm uh...cautiously optimistic.
October 7, 2008 11:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did anyone else have this impression of McCain.
It could not stop thinking that John McCain was hopped up on something. He just could not sit still, or stand still. His eyes look like squirrel piss holes in the snow.
They had him juiced to the max.
It looks like their internal tracking polls told them that their terrorist smears were backfiring, since he did not even hint at it tonight.
October 7, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
At one point McCain was up wandering around while Obama was speaking. I think it was during the healthcare question. Obama was speaking and McCain was kind of hovering around in the background.
Very weird.
October 7, 2008 11:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had the same thought. Is he beginning to "wander" as some old folks do?
October 7, 2008 11:44 PM | Reply | Permalink