| Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #14472 |
|
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. 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. 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. |
| 1 | Did you watch tonight's debate? |
| 1000 Adults | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 2.9% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| Yes | 69% | 76% | 62% | 58% | 69% | 79% | 82% | 63% | 80% | 62% | 84% | 78% | 73% | 77% | 62% | 67% | 67% | 73% | 75% | 72% | 77% | 78% | 66% | 70% | 65% | 75% |
| No | 30% | 23% | 37% | 41% | 30% | 21% | 17% | 36% | 19% | 37% | 14% | 22% | 27% | 22% | 38% | 30% | 32% | 27% | 23% | 27% | 23% | 21% | 32% | 30% | 35% | 25% |
| Not Sure | 1% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 3% | 1% | 0% | 2% | 1% | 0% | 2% | 2% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Adults | 100% | 49% | 51% | 35% | 29% | 21% | 15% | 64% | 36% | 60% | 8% | 32% | 51% | 6% | 28% | 15% | 26% | 49% | 19% | 19% | 44% | 20% | 20% | 41% | 19% | 21% |
| 2 | Was John McCain the clear winner? Was Barack Obama the clear winner? Or, was there no clear winner? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 3.8% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| John McCain | 30% | 33% | 25% | 25% | 28% | 33% | 38% | 26% | 35% | 25% | 38% | 35% | 35% | 26% | 20% | 26% | 56% | 13% | 37% | 63% | 26% | 11% | 37% | 26% | 41% | 21% |
| Barack Obama | 53% | 48% | 58% | 65% | 53% | 49% | 35% | 59% | 43% | 61% | 33% | 46% | 45% | 65% | 65% | 54% | 25% | 72% | 43% | 23% | 53% | 73% | 42% | 57% | 45% | 60% |
| No Clear Winner | 18% | 18% | 17% | 10% | 19% | 18% | 27% | 14% | 22% | 14% | 29% | 19% | 20% | 9% | 14% | 19% | 19% | 15% | 20% | 14% | 22% | 16% | 20% | 17% | 15% | 19% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 3 | Was there too much emphasis on the economy? Too little? Or just the right amount? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 3.8% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| Too Much | 8% | 8% | 7% | 10% | 7% | 6% | 8% | 9% | 7% | 9% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 13% | 10% | 5% | 8% | 7% | 8% | 13% | 7% | 5% | 7% | 8% | 11% | 5% |
| Too Little | 40% | 39% | 42% | 34% | 43% | 42% | 46% | 38% | 44% | 37% | 46% | 44% | 45% | 35% | 32% | 41% | 41% | 38% | 45% | 31% | 41% | 50% | 45% | 38% | 38% | 43% |
| Just The Right Amount | 49% | 51% | 47% | 54% | 46% | 52% | 43% | 50% | 48% | 51% | 45% | 48% | 47% | 49% | 54% | 49% | 50% | 51% | 48% | 55% | 49% | 42% | 41% | 52% | 50% | 51% |
| Not Sure | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 2% | 4% | 0% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 7% | 2% | 1% | 1% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 4 | Who do you trust more on the economy, McCain? Or Obama? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 3.7% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| McCain | 36% | 42% | 30% | 34% | 33% | 36% | 48% | 33% | 41% | 32% | 49% | 40% | 42% | 25% | 32% | 31% | 64% | 20% | 41% | 73% | 31% | 18% | 46% | 35% | 47% | 24% |
| Obama | 60% | 55% | 65% | 62% | 65% | 61% | 46% | 63% | 55% | 65% | 47% | 56% | 55% | 71% | 64% | 63% | 33% | 76% | 54% | 25% | 65% | 77% | 52% | 61% | 48% | 73% |
| Not Sure | 4% | 3% | 5% | 5% | 2% | 4% | 6% | 3% | 5% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 5% | 2% | 4% | 5% | 2% | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 5 | Who understands Iraq better? McCain? Or Obama? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 3.8% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| McCain | 42% | 46% | 37% | 38% | 42% | 40% | 52% | 40% | 45% | 39% | 47% | 45% | 46% | 31% | 38% | 41% | 73% | 25% | 43% | 77% | 41% | 22% | 44% | 44% | 48% | 33% |
| Obama | 52% | 48% | 57% | 57% | 51% | 57% | 38% | 54% | 49% | 55% | 39% | 51% | 47% | 66% | 58% | 53% | 22% | 69% | 50% | 20% | 54% | 70% | 53% | 53% | 40% | 60% |
| Not Sure | 6% | 5% | 6% | 5% | 7% | 3% | 10% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 13% | 5% | 7% | 2% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 5% | 7% | 2% | 6% | 8% | 3% | 4% | 12% | 7% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 6 | Who understands Iran better? McCain? Or Obama? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 3.8% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| McCain | 43% | 47% | 39% | 38% | 43% | 42% | 56% | 41% | 48% | 40% | 57% | 46% | 48% | 36% | 37% | 40% | 77% | 25% | 46% | 77% | 42% | 24% | 46% | 46% | 49% | 33% |
| Obama | 51% | 47% | 55% | 54% | 52% | 54% | 40% | 53% | 48% | 54% | 39% | 49% | 45% | 59% | 55% | 59% | 22% | 67% | 47% | 23% | 52% | 65% | 50% | 50% | 40% | 61% |
| Not Sure | 6% | 6% | 6% | 8% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 5% | 7% | 4% | 5% | 6% | 6% | 8% | 1% | 1% | 8% | 6% | 1% | 6% | 11% | 4% | 5% | 11% | 6% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 7 | Who understands Russia better? McCain? Or Obama? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 3.8% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| McCain | 42% | 47% | 37% | 34% | 42% | 42% | 57% | 38% | 48% | 37% | 58% | 46% | 49% | 36% | 34% | 33% | 72% | 24% | 48% | 75% | 39% | 25% | 44% | 42% | 53% | 33% |
| Obama | 49% | 44% | 56% | 56% | 51% | 52% | 32% | 54% | 44% | 55% | 29% | 47% | 45% | 55% | 53% | 57% | 24% | 66% | 42% | 20% | 52% | 68% | 50% | 47% | 40% | 60% |
| Not Sure | 8% | 9% | 8% | 10% | 7% | 6% | 11% | 9% | 8% | 9% | 12% | 7% | 6% | 9% | 13% | 10% | 4% | 9% | 9% | 4% | 9% | 7% | 6% | 11% | 6% | 8% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 8 | Who was more tired? McCain? Or Obama? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 3.8% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| McCain | 55% | 53% | 56% | 63% | 57% | 52% | 40% | 60% | 47% | 61% | 35% | 50% | 50% | 71% | 61% | 56% | 31% | 70% | 47% | 31% | 53% | 76% | 51% | 59% | 44% | 58% |
| Obama | 24% | 24% | 24% | 24% | 20% | 26% | 27% | 22% | 26% | 23% | 29% | 25% | 26% | 17% | 23% | 23% | 40% | 16% | 22% | 46% | 22% | 11% | 27% | 24% | 27% | 20% |
| Not Sure | 21% | 22% | 20% | 12% | 23% | 22% | 33% | 18% | 26% | 16% | 36% | 25% | 25% | 12% | 16% | 21% | 29% | 14% | 32% | 23% | 25% | 13% | 22% | 18% | 28% | 22% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 9 | Who was more presidential? McCain? Or Obama? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 3.7% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| McCain | 33% | 36% | 29% | 27% | 31% | 34% | 46% | 29% | 39% | 27% | 45% | 38% | 38% | 25% | 26% | 29% | 61% | 17% | 38% | 66% | 30% | 12% | 37% | 33% | 43% | 23% |
| Obama | 61% | 57% | 66% | 71% | 63% | 61% | 43% | 67% | 54% | 68% | 42% | 56% | 55% | 74% | 70% | 64% | 32% | 79% | 53% | 26% | 63% | 85% | 58% | 62% | 53% | 69% |
| Not Sure | 6% | 7% | 4% | 2% | 6% | 5% | 11% | 4% | 8% | 4% | 13% | 6% | 7% | 1% | 4% | 6% | 7% | 4% | 9% | 8% | 7% | 3% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 8% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 10 | Who had the best one-liner? McCain? Or Obama? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 3.8% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| McCain | 30% | 34% | 25% | 26% | 28% | 35% | 35% | 27% | 35% | 26% | 37% | 35% | 35% | 23% | 24% | 27% | 58% | 16% | 30% | 66% | 27% | 10% | 35% | 29% | 37% | 24% |
| Obama | 52% | 47% | 59% | 62% | 49% | 51% | 43% | 56% | 48% | 57% | 39% | 49% | 44% | 62% | 63% | 59% | 25% | 71% | 40% | 23% | 54% | 68% | 49% | 54% | 49% | 54% |
| Not Sure | 17% | 19% | 16% | 12% | 23% | 14% | 22% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 24% | 16% | 21% | 14% | 13% | 15% | 16% | 14% | 29% | 12% | 19% | 22% | 15% | 17% | 14% | 23% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 11 | Should this debate have been held tonight? Or should this debate have been postponed? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 2.9% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| Should Have Been Held | 83% | 81% | 85% | 84% | 83% | 82% | 82% | 83% | 82% | 82% | 81% | 84% | 83% | 83% | 84% | 83% | 83% | 85% | 82% | 77% | 80% | 95% | 77% | 83% | 84% | 87% |
| Should Have Been Postponed | 12% | 16% | 9% | 15% | 11% | 14% | 9% | 13% | 12% | 14% | 9% | 11% | 14% | 11% | 8% | 17% | 12% | 10% | 15% | 19% | 14% | 4% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 10% |
| Not Sure | 5% | 3% | 6% | 1% | 6% | 4% | 9% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 10% | 4% | 4% | 7% | 9% | 0% | 5% | 5% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 1% | 10% | 4% | 3% | 4% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |
| 12 | Was the moderator of the debate, Jim Lehrer, fair to both candidates? Unfair to McCain? Or Unfair to Obama? |
| 693 Debate Viewers | All | Gender | Age | <50 / 50+ | Age | Race | Party Affiliation | Ideology | Region | |||||||||||||||||
| Margin of Sampling Error: ± 2.6% | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | 18-49 | 50+ | < Obama | > McCain | > In Bet | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian/Ot | Republic | Democrat | Independ | Conserva | Moderate | Liberal | Central | Greater | Inland E | Bay Area | |
| Fair To Both | 87% | 85% | 88% | 77% | 92% | 88% | 94% | 84% | 90% | 84% | 92% | 90% | 91% | 81% | 82% | 81% | 88% | 85% | 90% | 89% | 87% | 88% | 88% | 86% | 81% | 91% |
| Unfair To McCain | 4% | 5% | 3% | 9% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 2% | 6% | 3% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 3% | 7% | 4% | 5% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 6% | 3% | 4% | 8% | 2% |
| Unfair To Obama | 6% | 7% | 6% | 10% | 6% | 5% | 3% | 8% | 4% | 8% | 3% | 5% | 3% | 15% | 10% | 6% | 3% | 8% | 5% | 4% | 7% | 5% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 6% |
| Not Sure | 3% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 4% | 2% | 0% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 1% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Composition of Debate Viewers | 100% | 54% | 46% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 17% | 59% | 41% | 54% | 9% | 37% | 54% | 7% | 25% | 14% | 24% | 51% | 20% | 20% | 47% | 21% | 19% | 41% | 17% | 23% |