Below are some findings from the Citizens Media Scorecard for the October 7th presidential debate.

Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama

• Tuesday, Oct. 7 in Nashville
• Moderated by Tom Brokaw

1. Rate the debate's focus on the issues. Were questions chosen by moderator Tom Brokaw focused on serious and relevant concerns?

McCain Supporters
Extremely -- 57%
Somwhat -- 38%
Not At All -- 5%

Obama supporters
Extremely -- 66%
Somewhat -- 33%
Not At All -- 1%

2. Overall, did Brokaw’s performance display bias toward one candidate or the other?

McCain Supporters
Bias towards Obama -- 26%
No Bias -- 70%
Bias Towards McCain -- 4%

Obama Supporters
Bias towards Obama -- 1%
No Bias -- 73%
Bias Towards McCain -- 26%

3. Did Brokaw challenge the candidates' factual misstatements or spin with tough follow-up questions?

McCain Supporters
Too Much -- 1%
Just Right -- 25%
Not Enough -- 74%

Obama Supporters
Too Much -- 0%
Just Right -- 17%
Not Enough -- 83%

4. McCain supporters ranked the National Network News as "poor" on election coverage (77%). Obama supporters ranked Commercial Radio as "poor" on election coverage (80%).

5. 92% of Obama supporters thought Obama won the debate; while 82% of McCain supporters thought McCain won.

6. Of those who watched the debate on Fox News Channel, 67% thought McCain won. Of those who watched the debate on PBS, 89% thought Obama won.

Return to RateTheDebates.org.