The winner of the first Presidential debate was moderator and PBS television personality Jim Lehrer. After earlier polls showing that most voters expect the moderators to be biased, 76% say Lehrer was neutral. Seven percent (7%) thought he tried to help Obama, 3% thought he tried to help McCain and 14% were not sure.

Among those who watched the entire debate, 85% thought Lehrer maintained his neutrality.

As for the candidates, 36% thought Obama won, 33% gave the advantage to McCain, and 31% were not sure. Partisans in the electorate lined up behind their candidate in a way that would make spin room handlers proud. By a 67% to 3% margin, Obama supporters thought he won the debate. By a 73% to 2% margin, McCain voters thought their man came out ahead (crosstabs available for Premium Members).

Overall, ratings for the debate were down, possibly because of the Friday night scheduling. Fifty-five percent (55%) of likely voters say they watched the entire event and 12% said they saw none of it.

Five percent (5%) of voters say the debate changed how they would vote, but the changes were equally divided between Obama and McCain supporters. Saturday interviews for the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll—the first post debate interviews--suggest that little has changed following the debate and Obama retains a modest lead over McCain.

While the debate was scheduled to focus on national security issues, the first 39 minutes were spent discussing the economic turmoil that has shaken the nation. Forty-four percent (44%) of voters say they agree with Obama’s view on the proposed bailout bill while 40% agree with McCain. Other research shows that opposition to the bailout legislation continues to grow and voters are cynical about the motives of their political leaders.

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