This poll does not and cannot reflect the views of all Americans. It only represents the views of people who watched the debate. The sample of debate-watchers in this poll were 37% Democratic and 33% Republican. That indicates that the sample of debate watchers is about five points more Democratic and about eight points more Republican than an average CNN poll of all Americans, for a small advantage for the Republicans in the sample of debate-watchers. The poll was conducted after the October 3rd presidential debate.
The CNN Polling Center displays data from polling organizations that use CNN-approved
polling methodology as well as some that do not. The asterisk symbol * indicates that
the poll or polling organization does not meet CNN's methodological standards.
A CNN Poll of Polls is calculated using at least three polls that use CNN-approved methodology.
The Congressional Ballot polling data was provided by PollingReport.com.
Incumbent presidents often take it on the chin when they return to the debate stage after a four-year absence. Wednesday night in Denver added another such instance to the history books.