Gore seen as winner in most polls

By Will Lester, Associated Press, 10/5/2000

ASHINGTON - Al Gore fared the best in instant polls of debate watchers, but George W. Bush apparently helped himself, too, in his confrontation with the vice president.

Gore gave a stronger performance, according to registered voters in three of four polls:

He had 56 percent to 42 percent for Bush in a CBS News poll of 812 registered voters.

The Democrat had 48 percent to 41 percent for Bush in a CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll of 435 registered voters who watched the debate.

And 46 percent in an NBC News poll of 563 registered voters said Gore did the better job, while 36 percent said Bush fared better.

The two were ranked about even in an ABC News poll, with Gore at 42 percent and Bush at 39 percent.

Women favored Gore, while men favored Bush, according to the polls.

One encouraging measure for Bush: A third in the CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll had a better impression of him after the debate, while a fourth had a better impression of Gore. Voters clearly had lower expectations for Bush against Gore, an experienced debater. Bush's aggressive performance appeared to have helped the Republican.

Gore's debate performance was seen as generally positive by 56 percent in the NBC News poll, while Bush's was seen that way by 47 percent.

The ABC News poll of 491 registered voters showed no significant change in candidate preference.

Almost all of those polled by CNN-USA Today-Gallup, 96 percent, said the debate didn't change their minds.

The polls have error margins ranging from 4 to 5 percentage points.