Polls, Polls, Polls

DATA: More data are coming in on Thursday's debate. Here's a poll of 14 states and several urban areas. (pdf warning) Out of 14 states polled, 2 found Bush to be the winner. They are -- surprise -- Texas and Oklahoma. Interestingly, Bush was seen as the winner in Texas by only a 2% lead over Kerry. The margin of error is ±4.9%.



Oklahoma is the only state that was clearly impressed by Bush, with 5% more respondents crowning him the winner over Kerry. But again, the margin of error is ±4.9%. Hardly a resounding victory.







Colorado is a dead heat; Kentucky (like Texas for Bush) only showed a slight victory for Kerry. But beyond that, the 10 other states polled found Kerry to be the clear winner. Most importantly, Florida, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and New Jersey are all on that list.



This is good news for Kerry, but will it effect votes? Here's John Zogby's opinion, written before the debate.

Historically, these televised presidential debates have had a significant impact on the final outcome of several elections. In 1960, a polished and articulate Massachusetts Senator named John F. Kennedy showed that he could compete with a more experienced and older sitting Vice-President, Richard Nixon.