Poll shows Palin exceeded expectations but still lost
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Twenty-three percent of respondents in an informal poll of Elon students, faculty and staff said Palin won Thursday’s debate, as compared to the 37 percent who sided with Biden. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.
An informal poll of 230 Elon University students, faculty and staff conducted by 18 students in the reporting for the public good class after the highly anticipated vice presidential debate showed Democratic nominee Sen. Joe Biden to prevail over Republican nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
The results of the poll show 37 percent declared Biden the winner and 28 percent had no comment or did not watch. Twenty-three percent supported Palin’s performance and 12 percent viewed it as a tie.
With the election approaching in nearly a month, this debate was an extremely important opportunity for these candidates to not only meet, but also have their only debate in the race.
Junior Kristin Riggs said she didn't think there was a winner.
“It’s just two different people expressing their views,” Riggs said.
Though both Biden and Palin spent a majority of their time defending the stances of their running mates, the debate did give the audience the opportunity to see each of the vice presidential candidates in action and on their own terms.
Junior Ashley Flanagan said each candidate won in his or her own way.
“I think that Palin had really low expectations and she did a good job, seeing that she had such low expectations,” Flanagan said. “But I think most people would probably say that Biden won based on his experiences, but I think Palin held it together.”
Paul Parsons, dean of the School of Communications, had a similar sentiment.
“I thought it was a victory by both for their various purposes,” he said.
He eventually sided with Biden saying, “I thought that Joe Biden won the debate. At the same time I thought it was a victory for Sarah Palin, in the sense that she surpassed expectations. She showed a feistiness that I think endeared her to her constituency.”
Most expert analysts found Biden to provide more specific responses while Palin’s spirited responses likely gained support of the Republican base.
A common complaint during polling was that Palin was simply skirting the issues.
Senior Chris Briggs said Joe Biden was the clear winner.
“His answers were just more coherent and on-topic,” Briggs said. “Palin tended to only approach questions she wanted to answer while Biden tackled all questions that were asked.”
Some people, like junior David Hitch and Communications Professor Ocek Eke, said even though she delivered well, Palin appeared very coached while Biden thought more on his feet.
Biden and Palin will not meet again face to face in debate. Obama and McCain will debate again at Belmont University on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
The poll was conducted between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m. Oct. 3 morning and spanned most areas of campus.
Keegan Calligar, Lesley Cowie, Andie Diemer, Daniel “Hobie” Temple and Hannah Williams also contributed to this article.
The results of the poll show 37 percent declared Biden the winner and 28 percent had no comment or did not watch. Twenty-three percent supported Palin’s performance and 12 percent viewed it as a tie.
With the election approaching in nearly a month, this debate was an extremely important opportunity for these candidates to not only meet, but also have their only debate in the race.
Junior Kristin Riggs said she didn't think there was a winner.
“It’s just two different people expressing their views,” Riggs said.
Though both Biden and Palin spent a majority of their time defending the stances of their running mates, the debate did give the audience the opportunity to see each of the vice presidential candidates in action and on their own terms.
Junior Ashley Flanagan said each candidate won in his or her own way.
“I think that Palin had really low expectations and she did a good job, seeing that she had such low expectations,” Flanagan said. “But I think most people would probably say that Biden won based on his experiences, but I think Palin held it together.”
Paul Parsons, dean of the School of Communications, had a similar sentiment.
“I thought it was a victory by both for their various purposes,” he said.
He eventually sided with Biden saying, “I thought that Joe Biden won the debate. At the same time I thought it was a victory for Sarah Palin, in the sense that she surpassed expectations. She showed a feistiness that I think endeared her to her constituency.”
Most expert analysts found Biden to provide more specific responses while Palin’s spirited responses likely gained support of the Republican base.
A common complaint during polling was that Palin was simply skirting the issues.
Senior Chris Briggs said Joe Biden was the clear winner.
“His answers were just more coherent and on-topic,” Briggs said. “Palin tended to only approach questions she wanted to answer while Biden tackled all questions that were asked.”
Some people, like junior David Hitch and Communications Professor Ocek Eke, said even though she delivered well, Palin appeared very coached while Biden thought more on his feet.
Biden and Palin will not meet again face to face in debate. Obama and McCain will debate again at Belmont University on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
The poll was conducted between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m. Oct. 3 morning and spanned most areas of campus.
Keegan Calligar, Lesley Cowie, Andie Diemer, Daniel “Hobie” Temple and Hannah Williams also contributed to this article.
Updated October 8, 2008
