Debate Polls: Biden Wins, Palin Gets a Boost

Joe Biden won last night’s debate, polls from CNN and CBS show, but Sarah Palin held her own, improving her image with many responders. Some 51% of viewers polled told CNN that Biden did “the best job,” compared to 36% who preferred Palin. In the CBS poll, uncommitted voters—who may have a preference but aren’t settled on a candidate—said Biden performed better by more than two-to-one.

But seven in 10 uncommitted voters stayed that way after the debate. Some 54% of viewers thought Palin was more likeable, while 36% said the same about Biden, CNN found; meanwhile, 87% said Biden was qualified for the job and 42% said Palin was qualified. Among the uncommitted, 44% said Palin could handle the presidency, up 9 points from before the debate; almost all said Biden “could be an effective president.”
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