Instant Polls Find Kerry Won The Debate

Bloomberg reports that three instant polls found that Kerry won last night's debate:

Fifty-three percent of the 613 registered voters who watched the 90-minute debate said Kerry did better, according to a poll by Gallup for CNN and USA Today. Thirty-seven percent backed Bush. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

The ABC poll of 531 registered voters found 45 percent said Kerry ``won,'' against 36 percent for Bush. The incumbent had support from 50 percent of those viewers before the debate and 51 percent after. Kerry was supported by 46 percent before the event and 47 percent afterward.

CBS's survey, conducted via the Internet, found that 43 percent of 200 uncommitted voters who watched said Kerry won, 28 percent said Bush was the winner and 29 percent said they tied. CBS said the survey was among voters who indicated they are undecided or who said they might change their mind. The margin of error is plus or minus 7 percentage points, CBS said.

I recall that instant polls found Gore won his first debate against then Governor Bush, but after a few days of everyone talking about Gore's sighs and Gores exaggerations that first impression evaporated. We will have to wait and see about President Bush and Kerry.