SurveyUSA interviewed 900 Ohio adults, of whom 620 watched the debate last night between Republican Sarah Palin and Democrat Joe Biden. Of debate watchers:

• 37% say Palin was the clear winner.
• 38% say Biden was the clear winner.
• 24% say there was no clear winner.

Debate audience was 31% Republican, 37% Democrat, 24% Independent.

• 47% say their opinion of Palin went up. 18% say their opinion of Palin went down.
• 38% say their opinion of Biden went up. 22% say their opinion of Biden went down.

Ohio 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.

More:

• 50% say that Biden makes the Democratic ticket stronger, 17% say he makes the ticket weaker, 32% say he makes no difference.
• 51% say that Palin makes the Republican ticket stronger, 33% say she makes the ticket weaker, 16% say she makes no difference.
• 76% of Republicans and 56% overall think Palin would be a better Vice President than Dick Cheney.
• 28% of Republicans and 57% overall think Biden would be a better Vice President than Dick Cheney.

SurveyUSA state of Ohio research conducted exclusively for WCMH-TV Columbus, WHIO-TV Dayton, and WKYC-TV Cleveland.