Immediately following last night’s debate between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, SurveyUSA interviewed 1,000 California adults, of whom 693 watched the 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 more 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.  Full results of the poll can be found right here .