Kerry won the debate
2004-10-01 08:38
Washington - Democratic challenger John Kerry won the first televised presidential debate against Republican President George W Bush late on Thursday, according to instant polls released after.
A Gallup poll for CNN gave Kerry a 46% to 37% win over the president.
It added that 46% of those asked now have a better opinion of Kerry against 21% for Bush.
The CBS network, which asked 200 voters, said 44% gave victory to Kerry against 26% who thought the president had the upper hand. Thirty percent said neither candidate won.
An ABC poll of 531 people gave 45% for Kerry, 36% for Bush and 17% for a draw.
But the survey said Bush still had the support of 51% of voters for the November 2 election against 47% for Kerry.
- AFP