the prez. Debate ווער האט געווינען

John Kerry won the debate Thursday night, 53% to 37%, according to a random sample of 615 registered voters who watched the event. Almost half of the viewers said they felt more favorable about the senator because of the debate, and 60% said Kerry expressed himself more clearly than did President Bush. Despite the positive assessment, viewers said they favored Bush in handling the war in Iraq and serving as commander in chief, little changed from opinions expressed before the debate. And a majority of viewers said it was Bush who better demonstrated he is tough enough for the job.

October 04, 2004
Kerry Pulls Even With Bush at 49%-49%
Bush retains strength on several key dimensions, while Kerry leads on economy


by Frank Newport

Democratic nominee John Kerry and President George W. Bush are now tied at 49% among likely voters, a gain for Kerry in the presidential race compared to polls conducted in September, before last Thursday's first debate. Bush's job approval rating is now at 50%, down from 54% prior to the debate. Americans, however, continue to be more likely to see Bush than Kerry as a strong and decisive leader, and to see Bush as better able to handle terrorism and Iraq, although Kerry has improved on each of these dimensions.

PRINCETON, NJ -- Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and President George W. Bush remain in a tight race for the presidency, with Kerry receiving support from 49% of likely voters and Bush 48%, according to the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted Oct. 9-10. Independent candidate Ralph Nader gets 1% of the vote.
Among registered voters, the two major candidates each receive 48% of the vote, and Nader 1%. These results are virtually identical to those measured last week in a similar poll, when likely voters were evenly divided between the two major candidates at 49% each, and registered voters gave Bush a two-point advantage, 49% to 47%.