Nationwide CNN poll finds Obama handily won the debate

[ute4ever]

Obama 51% McCain 38%

Strange, many of us here and on Utefans felt otherwise, but maybe that was largely from watching the debate through the red, right-wing Utah bubble. (And other red states like Texas and Oklahoma). However, the majority of the nation felt it was Obama's show.

That gap is actually larger than recent polls, which means it's not just the Obama homers speaking up.

[SoonerCoug]

McCain did better among men. But Obama won by ~20 points among female viewers. I think that's because McCain looked like an asshole.

[ute4ever]

Well in all fairness CNN polled only 524 people, and they could have been largely from San Francisco for all we know. Perhaps a FOX insta-poll of 200 Arizonans would yield different numbers.

[FMCoug]

Originally Posted by ute4ever

Well in all fairness CNN polled only 524 people, and they could have been largely from San Francisco for all we know. Perhaps a FOX insta-poll of 200 Arizonans would yield different numbers.

And Fox's poll was like 82% saying McCain won. It's all partisan. It cracked me up last night because out of all the pundits on both channels analyzing the debate, it clearly broke on partisan lines. What a joke.

What happened to the days when they would debate experts just score it as a debate?

[SoonerCoug]

Most polls have a sample of 500-800 people, so I don't understand the criticism of a poll having 524 people. Look at Zogby or Rassmussen or any other polling agency, and you'll see what I mean.

FMCoug, are you differentiating between an online poll and a real poll?

[Clark Addison]

Originally Posted by FMCoug

And Fox's poll was like 82% saying McCain won. It's all partisan. It cracked me up last night because out of all the pundits on both channels analyzing the debate, it clearly broke on partisan lines. What a joke.

What happened to the days when they would debate experts just score it as a debate?

The Fox poll, like any internet poll, is completely worthless. If McCain had come out on stage, curled up in a fetal position, and sucked his thumb for the entire debate, he probably would have still received over 50% of the votes.

Having said that, the CNN poll, even though the methodology is obviously better, doesn't really say that Obama won in any meaningful way. The poll was only of people who watched the debates, not likely voters or anything like that. Of the poll's participants, 13% more were Democrats than Republicans. In the final result, 13% more people said Obama won than McCain. I couldn't find a breakdown, but it appears that, shockingly, Democrats thought Obama won, Republicans thought McCain won, and independents split pretty evenly. Pretty much exactly what we see here on CG. To me, that seems like it was basically a tie.

[T Blue]

Originally Posted by Clark Addison

The Fox poll, like any internet poll, is completely worthless. If McCain had come out on stage, curled up in a fetal position, and sucked his thumb for the entire debate, he probably would have still received over 50% of the votes.

Having said that, the CNN poll, even though the methodology is obviously better, doesn't really say that Obama won in any meaningful way. The poll was only of people who watched the debates, not likely voters or anything like that. Of the poll's participants, 13% more were Democrats than Republicans. In the final result, 13% more people said Obama won than McCain. I couldn't find a breakdown, but it appears that, shockingly, Democrats thought Obama won, Republicans thought McCain won, and independents split pretty evenly. Pretty much exactly what we see here on CG. To me, that seems like it was basically a tie.

LOL, the CNN poll is clearly the better poll?

Hmm....... Maybe that is because more democrats get their news from the clinton news network.

[Clark Addison]

Originally Posted by T Blue

LOL, the CNN poll is clearly the better poll?

Hmm....... Maybe that is because more democrats get their news from the clinton news network.

Are you saying that a poll with a randomized sampling strategy is not inherently better than an internet poll where whoever visits the site votes? Do you know anything about polling?

I acknowledged that, from what we can see, the CNN poll has issues, and that it does NOT indicate that Obama won. Do you have anything more insightful to add than an LOL?

[T Blue]

Originally Posted by Clark Addison

Are you saying that a poll with a randomized sampling strategy is not inherently better than an internet poll where whoever visits the site votes? Do you know anything about polling?

I acknowledged that, from what we can see, the CNN poll has issues, and that it does NOT indicate that Obama won. Do you have anything more insightful to add than an LOL?

Actually I am saying that CNN is a f'ing joke!!!

I can take a poll and make the numbers say anything I want them to say, and if I am as slanted as CNN in making their GOD Obama become the winner in the poll, well...... Just saying........

As for your dig at me for your superior knowledge in polling, easy there fella, I am just calling them as I see them, Clinton News Network is a f'ing joke!!!

Just the same as Faux is a f'ing joke, same story different spin, there are you happy now, I hate both equally, no prejudice.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by T Blue

Actually I am saying that CNN is a f'ing joke!!!

I can take a poll and make the numbers say anything I want them to say, and if I am as slanted as CNN in making their GOD Obama become the winner in the poll, well...... Just saying........

As for your dig at me for your superior knowledge in polling, easy there fella, I am just calling them as I see them, Clinton News Network is a f'ing joke!!!

Just the same as Faux is a f'ing joke, same story different spin, there are you happy now, I hate both equally, no prejudice.

I won't be happy until you weigh in on MSNBC and the Huffington Post.