Florida Says Palin Had Strong Debate Performance, But Gives Slight Edge to Biden When Asked if There was ‘Clear Winner’: SurveyUSA interviewed 900 Florida adults, of whom 758 watched the Vice Presidential debate last night between Republican Sarah Palin and Democrat Joe Biden.

Of debate watchers: 35% say Palin was the clear winner. 44% say Biden was the clear winner. 21% say there was no clear winner. No material difference in how Florida men and Florida women saw the debate.

Debate audience was 34% Republican, 36% Democrat, 27% Independent.

Of debate watchers, offsetting gains:
44% say their opinion of Palin went up. 21% say their opinion of Palin went down.
43% say their opinion of Biden went up. 20% say their opinion of Biden went down.

Florida debate watchers say: Palin was more likable. Biden had a better command of the facts. Biden was more ready to assume the office of President, should that become necessary.

56% say that Biden makes the Democratic ticket stronger, 15% say he makes the ticket weaker, 28% say he makes no difference.
48% say that Palin makes the Republican ticket stronger, 38% say she makes the ticket weaker, 15% say she makes no difference.

76% of Republicans and 56% overall think Palin would be a better Vice President than Dick Cheney.
39% of Republicans and 64% overall think Biden would be a better Vice President than Dick Cheney.

SurveyUSA state of Florida research conducted exclusively for WFLA-TV Tampa, WFOR-TV Miami, WFTX-TV Fort Myers and WKRG-TV Pensacola.