Here Are The Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #14472

Geography Surveyed: California
Data Collected: 09/26/2008
Release Date: 09/26/2008 11:30 PM ET
Sponsors: KABC-TV Los Angeles, KFSN-TV Fresno, KGTV-TV San Diego, KPIX-TV San Francisco

California By 5:3 Says Obama Won 1st Presidential Debate, But Independents Award Split Decision: Immediately following tonight's debate between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, SurveyUSA interviewed 1,000 California adults, of whom 693 watched tonight's debate. Of all debate watchers: 53% say Obama was the clear winner. 30% say McCain was the clear winner. 18% say there was no clear winner. The party breakdown is critical to understanding California, which is a 'Blue' state and, as expected, had significantly more Democrats watching the debate than Republicans: 1 in 4 Republicans say Obama won. 1 in 8 Democrats say McCain won. That means: Republicans say McCain won 2:1. Democrats say Obama won 5:1. Independents, the most critical, coveted and arguably most dispassionate group of debate watchers, split. 43% say Obama is the clear winner, 37% say McCain is the clear winner, 20% say there was no clear winner. California debate watchers say Obama understands Iraq better, Obama understands Iran better, Obama understands Russia better. Debate watchers trust Obama materially more on the economy, thought Obama looked materially more presidential, and by 2:1 thought McCain looked more tired. Overwhelmingly, debate watchers say moderator Jim Lehrer was fair to both candidates. 4 in 10 wish Lehrer had spent more time on the economy. SurveyUSA state of California research conducted exclusively for KABC-TV Los Angeles, KPIX-TV San Francisco, KFSN-TV Fresno, and KGTV-TV San Diego.