VP Debate Polls Show Biden Won

A CBS News poll finds that Joe Biden did better than Sarah Palin among undecideds but that both candidates helped their tickets.

Forty-six percent of the uncommitted voters surveyed say Democrat Joe Biden won the debate, compared to 21 percent for Republican Sarah Palin. Thirty-three percent said it was a tie.

Eighteen percent of previously uncommitted percent say they are now committed to the Obama-Biden ticket. Ten percent say they are now committed to McCain-Palin. Seventy-one percent are still uncommitted.

Both candidates improved their overall image tonight. Fifty-three percent of those surveyed say they now have a better impression of Biden. Five percent say they have a worse opinion of the Delaware senator, while 42 percent say they debate did not change their opinion.  Fifty-five percent say they now have a better opinion of Palin. Fourteen percent say they have a worse opinion, while 30 percent say their opinion hasn’t changed.

After the debate, 66 percent see Palin as knowledgeable about important issues — up from 43 percent before the debate. But Biden still has the advantage on this — 98 percent saw him as knowledgeable after the debate. That figure was 79 percent before the debate.

Remember:  This isn’t a general survey but rather a sampling of people identifying themselves as undecided.  That a third think Palin is not “knowledgeable about important issues” is problematic given that it’s usually a given that VP candidates are well versed in facts about major public policy debates.   Still, she’s convinced most people that she’s just fine.

Similarly, a CNN poll finds that Biden won but Palin exceeded expectations.

Fifty-one percent of those polled thought Biden did the best job in Thursday night’s debate, while 36 percent thought Palin did the best job. But respondents said the folksy Palin was more likable, scoring 54 percent to Biden’s 36 percent.

Both candidates exceeded expectations — 84 percent of the people polled said Palin did a better job than they expected, while 64 percent said Biden also exceeded expectations.

But on the question of the candidates’ qualifications to assume the presidency, 87 percent of the people polled said Biden is qualified while only 42 percent said Palin is qualified.

Now, unlike CBS, CNN sampled people who watched the debate but included people who already had their minds made up. Presumably, a good chunk of the 58 percent who think Palin unqualified are Democrats — and we don’t know how balanced their survey was. Still, more than twice as many people say Biden is qualified.

A MediaCurves poll also shows Biden winning handily on just about every issue among self-described Independents.

FILED UNDER: 2008 Election, Public Opinion Polls, The Presidency, US Politics, , , , , , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Patrick T McGuire says:

    A CBS News poll finds that Joe Biden did better than Sarah Palin among undecideds

    But then again, CBS News thinks that Katie Couric is doing a great job too.

  2. Jim Henley says:

    Palin certainly convinced me: I’m signing my son up for hockey.

  3. James Joyner says:

    As long as you don’t start putting him in lipstick.

  4. Jim Henley says:

    No, that’s for the dog.

  5. Alexander Klingman says:

    I think that Biden won the important (to me) “which candidate can pronounce nuclear correctly?” debate. Gov. Palin, it’s nook-lee-ar, not nook-you-ler…

    I am also pleased that Gov. Palin managed to meet everyone’s expectation that she would exceed expectations.

  6. rodney dill says:

    The debate offset the smear job that has been done on Palin, of course, the smearing is going to continue through the election.

    The real measure of all the debates will be the election. McCain has always been the underdog as a lot of people are going to vote for ‘a change’ (not for change) from the current administration. If McCain can tighten up the race in some states he still has a chance, but it always was a slim one.

  7. Bithead says:

    Can anyone tell me when the last time other than Reagan, where CBS called a debate for the Republican?

    Also if I’m not much mistaken CBS and CNN are now co-owned, and so seeing them in lockstep should not shock anyone.

    All that said, it was several days after the last debate before the more reliable polling started showing reaction, in either direction. Between now and then, it’s all just spin.

  8. Alexander Klingman says:

    The debate offset the smear job that has been done on Palin

    Very true. Instead of the electorate thinking that Palin can’t speak in complete sentences, they are now assured that she can barely speak in complete sentences. Which is quite a relief. They can also rest assured that a person with a net worth in the millions can safely describe herself as a “Joe Six Pack” without being pestered by those elitist media types as to how that makes any sense.

  9. James Joyner says:

    I think that Biden won the important (to me) “which candidate can pronounce nuclear correctly?” debate. Gov. Palin, it’s nook-lee-ar, not nook-you-ler…

    While I think Biden understands nuclear policy better than Palin, this particular line of attack is silly. Jimmy Carter, who is acknowledged as smarter than the average bear even by those of us who think he was a pretty bad president, pronounced it that way. And he was a part of Rickover’s “nucular” submarine program and had attended Georgia Tech and graduated the Naval Academy.

    (And, yes, I pronounce it nook-lee-er.)

  10. G.A.Phillips says:

    Sure he did.

  11. Jim Henley says:

    If we don’t stop the despicable smears against Sarah Palin in time, B. Hussein Obama will be able to complete his secret plan to bring the United States into the Caliphate.

  12. Alex Knapp says:

    Jim,

    You’re behind the times. The proper way to disrespect Obama now is to call him “Barry O.” Which I think implies that he’s a line of cookies or cereal.

  13. Fence says:

    At first she seemed folksy. But there was just so much betcha and doggoneit and winking that by the end it seemed fauxksy. And in any case, I don’t think Americans are looking for folksy this year, we tried that in 2000 and it didn’t turn out so well. So now when I want to solve an economic crisis, I want to hear from Warren Buffet, not some parent at a soccer game who stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

  14. Fence says:

    Can anyone tell me when the last time other than Reagan, where CBS called a debate for the Republican?

    Also if I’m not much mistaken CBS and CNN are now co-owned, and so seeing them in lockstep should not shock anyone.

    Presumably at the earliest, 1988 when Dukakis wouldn’t be mad at someone who raped and killed his wife.

    CNN is owned by Time Warner. CBS is owned by Viacom.

  15. Jim Henley says:

    You’re behind the times. The proper way to disrespect Obama now is to call him “Barry O.” Which I think implies that he’s a line of cookies or cereal.

    Well Harry O was one of the two greatest private-eye shows ever on television. So “Barry O.” gives me a warm feeling.

  16. rodney dill says:

    it’s nook-lee-ar

    and if you would’ve said its nu . cle . ar

    \ˈnü-klē-ər, ˈnyü-, ÷-kyə-lər\

    you would’ve sounded intelligent. (/snark)

  17. Anderson says:

    The debate offset the smear job that has been done on Palin, of course, the smearing is going to continue through the election.

    Yes! Thank you!

    It was so awful of CBS to write those terrible answers for Palin and them make her stutter them out on national TV.

    Who will rid us of this turbulent liberal media?

  18. SeeingIsBelieving says:

    Are you kidding me? Palin didn’t answer a single question without looking down at her notes. When pressed on a question by the moderator, all she could say was yes or no. There was no substance. I agree, the cutesy act with the soft voice and the wink of an eye was so overdone that it even had soap opera actors cringing. I can just hear the soundtrack in her head when she does it…It’s the good chip lollipop…it’s the
    sweetest thing in the candy shop…

  19. Bithead says:

    CNN is owned by Time Warner. CBS is owned by Viacom.

    I ahd a vauge memeoy of them being held by someone in common… possibly Sumner Redstone. I’ll have to back track and see where that came from.

    Thanks.

  20. rodney dill says:

    I agree stuttering definitely eliminates someone from candidacy.

  21. Eric says:

    The debate offset the smear job that has been done on Palin, of course, the smearing is going to continue through the election.

    Mr. Dill, please feel free to leave relevant links supporting your assertion. I presume you’ll be able to provide ample citations from mainstream publications that appear to smear Palin, and not comments by an anonymous poster at a blog somewhere.

    Also if I’m not much mistaken CBS and CNN are now co-owned, and so seeing them in lockstep should not shock anyone.

    Ah, just like clockwork Bit: it’s all a conspiracy. Too bad you wrong about them being co-owned, but I’m sure you’ll find another conspiracy somewhere. In fact, why don’t you just go for broke and break Godwin’s Law right now? (Come on–you know you want to. It’ll totally justify your delusion).

    …not some parent at a soccer game who stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

    ROFLMAO!!

    I ahd a vauge memeoy of them being held by someone in common… possibly Sumner Redstone. I’ll have to back track and see where that came from

    Yeah, just like Palin is going to “try to find some [examples of McCain pushing for more regulation] for ya and I’ll bring ’em to ya.” Hmm.. did she ever find those examples?

  22. mw says:

    Biden is the best in this format of any of the candidates on either ticket. He was best in most of the Democratic primary debates and based on the debates, should have been the Dem nominee. Considered in a vacuum – Biden won. But… and it is a big “but” – Palin showed that she is not the caricature portrayed by Tina Fey, she showed she is not the incompetent idiot that many MSM pundits have decried, and she is not the wild eyed religious ideologue that Democrats paint her. Many people feared that she really was all of the those things. Last night – she showed that there was nothing to worry about. From that persepctive, Palin gained far more for her ticket than Biden gained for his.

  23. rodney dill says:

    able to provide ample citations from mainstream publications that appear to smear Palin, and not comments by an anonymous poster at a blog somewhere.

    That’s your criterion, not mine. A smear is a smear and plenty are being done by commenters at blogs. If you wish to see some by the media, by all means go to Google and type ‘media smears against palin’ and take your pick. As for me I don’t take research direction from anonymous commenters.

  24. anjin-san says:

    It was so awful of CBS to write those terrible answers for Palin and them make her stutter them out on national TV.

    Anderson are you DENYING that Pelosi used her mind control rays on Palin during those interviews?

    Perhaps you yourself have been compromised…

  25. anjin-san says:

    A smear is a smear and plenty are being done by commenters at blogs.

    Rodney is quite correct. Let’s examine a smear he directed at Obama just yesterday.

    He can get it from the Koran, by osmosis from being close to Chicago, or directly from Allah.

  26. Eric says:

    That’s your criterion, not mine. A smear is a smear and plenty are being done by commenters at blogs. If you wish to see some by the media, by all means go to Google and type ‘media smears against palin’ and take your pick. As for me I don’t take research direction from anonymous commenters.

    Well, then, since your standards are so low, maybe we should start with all the smears against Obama promulgated by World Nut Daily and Redstate commenters. Funny how I don’t hear a peep out of you regarding *those* smears. No, only anonymous commenters on liberal blogs raise your ire.

    What a cop-out! I’m not an anonymous commenter; my name *is* Eric.

  27. Neil1030 says:

    It’s discouraging to hear of polls showing independents (if they really are that) are saying Biden won. Maybe it’s not so surprising though. The media, with help from politicians on all sides, have been brainwashing the masses into thinking we are in some kind of great depression now. Biden could easily tap into that by talking about how bad conditions are and exploiting the misery of some to convince the majority we are all going to be in bread lines soon. It’s no wonder people would respond to that, whether it is fair or not.

  28. muffler says:

    The disregard for the agree to rules of the debate are quite indicative of Palin’s way of doing things. Agreements are not binding and if pressed to answer a topic she sees this as a media filter. Sorry, but we have had 8 years of this crap and not it’s time for Adults to take it back and folksy to go back to the woodshed. There is no such thing as folksy anymore as everyone has TV. It’s a highly crafted image.

  29. rodney dill says:

    only anonymous commenters on liberal blogs raise your ire.

    Again, just your view, you added the ‘only,’ other smears may raise my ire as well, I just chose not to do your research into them for you.

    …and I got a newsflash for ya ‘Eric’ if that is your real name. You are anonymous to other commenters unless you comment on one of my posts, or elect to reveal more information in a post than is probably wise to do, I wouldn’t know you from any other Eric. For all you know ‘Rodney Dill’ might just be a pseudonym.

  30. anjin-san says:

    ‘Eric’ if that is your real name.

    Actually “Eric” sounds kind of foreign to me. Are you a real American or not pal?

  31. Dennis says:

    Wow, someone who has been running for President since the 80’s is FINALLY a winner, Unlikely

  32. Eric says:

    ..and I got a newsflash for ya ‘Eric’ if that is your real name. You are anonymous to other commenters unless you comment on one of my posts, or elect to reveal more information in a post than is probably wise to do, I wouldn’t know you from any other Eric. For all you know ‘Rodney Dill’ might just be a pseudonym.

    So basically you’re saying that you reserve the right to make unsubstantiated assertions but require of those questioning those assertions that they substantiate they’re objections? Wow. A hypocritical, delusional far-rightie. How unusual.

    I don’t think I’m required to reveal anything more about myself, even my first name, if I don’t want to. As long as my statements are sound and worthy in and of themselves, that should be enough. And before you come back with a smart-ass answer, I would point out that John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison wrote under the collective pseudonym “Publius” in countering objections to the proposed Constitution in 1787-88. In fact, many individuals wrote to the papers of the day for and against the proposed Constitution under either psuedonyms or were anonymous. Or should they have identified themselves in order to be heard or responded to?

    So spare me the holier-than-thou “I don’t respond to Anonymous posters” crap. It’s a cop-out, plain and simple, and you’ve been busted for the fraud you are, Rodney.

    And, yes, Eric *is* my real name.

  33. david says:

    Palin kicked his butt. The ratings were higher than any other debate because of her. People aren’t talking about Biden’s performance today. They are talking about Palin.

    Remember when Kerry won too? They tried to convince us through polls that Kerry was going to be president. It didn’t happen of course.

    The mainstream media is so full of crap!

  34. david says:

    No fewer than TEN misstatements by Biden. He was wrong so many times, I lost count. If Palin said the same innaccurate statements, it would be ALL OVER the news today.

    But, old Joe gets a free pass from the media.

    Democrats never let facts get in the way. Lies and misstatements go unnoticed and that’s OK I guess.

  35. david says:

    1) McCain voted the same as Obama on the budget resolution that calls for tax increases on people making as little as $42,000. FALSE

    2) Under Obama, the top tax rate will not be higher than it was under Reagan (28%). FALSE (they want to return it to the Clinton 39.5%)

    3) It will take at least ten years to get oil from new production. FALSE

    4) The Use of Force resolution (Iraq) was not a war resolution. FALSE

    5) McCain voted the same way as Obama on funding the troops. FALSE

    6) We spend as much in three weeks in Iraq as we have spent in seven years in Afghanistan. FALSE

    7) Article I of the Constitution refers to the Executive Branch. FALSE

    8) There is a windfall profits tax in Alaska. FALSE

    9) Obama voted for a nuclear weapons resolution. FALSE

    10) McCain opposed Clinton on Bosnia. FALSE

  36. G.A.Phillips says:

    Anderson are you DENYING that Pelosi used her mind control rays on Palin during those interviews?

    How in the Great Green Hell does she have mind control rays without a mind?

    lol I forgot, she’s a Donkalich.

  37. G.A.Phillips says:

    lol my pseudonym is Mule skinner101.

    hypocritical, delusional=liberal

  38. rodney dill says:

    So basically you’re saying that you reserve the right to make unsubstantiated assertions but require of those questioning those assertions that they substantiate they’re objections? Wow. A hypocritical, delusional far-rightie. How unusual.

    Nope, I didn’t say that.

    I don’t think I’m required to reveal anything more about myself, even my first name, if I don’t want to. ….

    I don’t have any problem with that at all, but I’m not the one saying revealing only a first name wasn’t being anonymous as a commenter. The nature of the system makes them mostly anonymous (or pseudonymous)

    I don’t respond to Anonymous posters

    I didn’t say that either, I said I don’t take direction from anonymous posters. You really should try to pay more attention to detail.

    — Rodney ‘holier than thou’ Dill

  39. rodney dill says:

    Further…

    So basically you’re saying that you reserve the right to make unsubstantiated assertions

    I didn’t make any, I told you exactly how to find all the information you could ever want substantianting them.