Flash Polls Suggest Clinton Reigns

By Justin C. Oppmann/AllPolitics

Even with a feistier performance than in the first presidential debate, Republican challenger Bob Dole got the short end of the polling stick in the second debate. A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll found President Bill Clinton the winner, taking 59 percent of those polled to Dole's 29 percent. Clinton was also seen by voters as taking more unfair criticism, holding a better vision for the future, and understanding better the problems mentioned by the audience. Dole edged slightly ahead in the honesty category, 44-40 percent.

A CBS poll, broadcast 30 minutes after the end of the debate, showed 55 percent of those questioned felt that Clinton won, 25 percent thought Dole was the victor, and 11 percent called the debate a tie. Ninety-six percent of those polled claimed that the debate would not change the way they would vote on Nov. 5.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL Interviews with 601 registered voters who watched the presidential debate. All interviews were conducted between 10:30 p.m. (the end of the debate) and 11 p.m. ET.

Regardless of which candidate you happen to support, who do you think did the better job in the debate -- Bill Clinton or Bob Dole?

Debate Watchers

BETTER JOB?

Clinton
Dole 59%
29%

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

Regardless of which presidential candidate you support, please tell me whether each of the following better applies to Bill Clinton or Bob Dole:

MORE UNFAIR IN CRITICIZING HIS OPPONENT:

Clinton
Dole 18%
58%

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

UNDERSTOOD THE PROBLEMS MENTIONED BY THE AUDIENCE:

Clinton
Dole 60%
25%

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

WAS MORE HONEST:

Clinton
Dole 40%
44%

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

HAD A BETTER VISION FOR THE FUTURE:

Clinton
Dole 58%
37%

Sampling error: +/-4% pts

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