A Draw in the Third Debate, With Bragging Rights to Kerry
John Kerry and George W. Bush battled to another draw in their last debate of the 2004 campaign, with perhaps bragging rights to Kerry, since more Republicans tuned in.
Among registered voters who watched the debate, 42 percent called Kerry the winner, 41 percent said Bush won and 14 percent called it a tie. That's similar to the outcome of the second debate, while Kerry won the first among viewers by a nine-point margin.
Who won? Kerry 42% Bush 41% Tie 14%
The audience for the third debate was a bit more Republican in its allegiance: Among viewers, 38 percent identified themselves as Republicans, 30 percent as Democrats and 28 percent as independents. That makes the draw more of an accomplishment for Kerry.
Party ID of debate viewers Democrats 30% Republicans 38% Independents 28%
It occurred in part because Democrats who watched were more apt to stand by their man. Among Democratic viewers, 81 percent called Kerry the winner, and five percent said Bush won; among Republicans who watched, 73 percent said it was Bush's win, and 12 percent gave the win to Kerry. Independents divided by 42-35 percent, Kerry-Bush.
Who won?
Kerry Bush Tie Among Democrats 81% 5 11 Among Republicans 12 73 11 Among independents 42 35 22
As is customary, there were no immediate changes in vote preferences. Viewers divided about evenly between Bush and Kerry, 49-48 percent, before the debate; and absolutely evenly, 49-49 percent, after