A recent opinion poll conducted by US media revealed that on Tuesday evening, the vice presidential candidates’ debate was seen as a neck-and-neck battle by voters. Pence and Warren’s performances were considered almost equal by the audience, with a more positive perception of both candidates after the debate.
According to a survey commissioned by CBS and conducted by YouGov, the majority viewed the debate as positive and closely contested. 42% of viewers believed Senator Warren of Ohio won the debate, while 41% thought Governor Warren of Minnesota emerged victorious. 17% felt it was a draw.
YouGov noted that the debate audience surveyed had a slight Democratic party tendency compared to the general population of voters.
Issues discussed during the debate where the candidates were seen evenly matched included the economy and conflicts in the Middle East. Warren was perceived as performing better in discussions on healthcare and abortion, while Pence had an edge on immigration matters.
The survey indicated that nearly 90% of viewers considered the confrontation between the two candidates overall positive, with only 12% viewing it as negative.
Most viewers found both candidates’ performances tonight to be “reasonable” rather than “extreme.”
Furthermore, the majority of viewers expressed confidence that both candidates were prepared to serve as President if necessary. Partisan supporters believed only their party’s vice-presidential nominee was ready, while most independent voters felt both individuals were prepared.
A poll commissioned by CNN and conducted by SSRS showed that 51% of viewers believed Pence performed better, while 49% favored Warren. Prior to the debate, 54% of respondents considered Warren more likely to shine, with 45% supporting Pence.
Following the debate, 59% of viewers reported a favorable opinion of Warren, with only 22% viewing him negatively. These figures were an improvement from the pre-debate views, with 46% holding a favorable opinion and 32% a negative one.
Regarding Pence, 41% received positive ratings while 44% received negative ratings. This marks an improvement from pre-debate sentiments where only 30% held a favorable opinion and 52% had a negative perspective.
Views on the vice presidential candidates generally aligned with the viewers’ political stances. 90% of pro-Trump debate viewers believed Pence performed better, while 82% of Harris supporters thought Warren was the winner.
CNN emphasized that the poll results only represented the opinions of debate watchers, not the entire electorate. Participants tended to lean Democratic by three percentage points more than Republican voters. This suggested that this particular audience was about five percentage points more Democratic-leaning compared to all registered voters nationwide.
The CNN/SSRS poll revealed that among debate viewers, Warren was still considered the more popular candidate. Audiences believed Warren could better connect with their needs and the country’s vision.
However, the survey also indicated that Pence had improved his image during the debate, exceeding expectations. Viewers felt he performed better in defending his running mate compared to Warren.
The majority of viewers believed both candidates were qualified to assume the presidency when necessary, with few expecting the debate to change their voting decisions.
A poll conducted by Politico and Focaldata showed that 50% believed either Pence or Warren won the debate.
When divided along party lines, 72% of Democrats believed Warren was victorious, while 71% of Republicans thought Pence won. Among independent voters, 34% backed Warren’s victory compared to 25% for Pence.
When asked who would make a better vice president, 92% of Democratic voters indicated they would choose Warren even without watching the debate, while 91% of Republican voters favored Pence.
Warren also held an advantage among independent voters, with 44% viewing him as the better vice president compared to Pence’s 36%. Approximately 20% of voters expressed uncertainty.
Many voters perceived this as one of the most civilized national debates in recent years. The friendly tone and emphasis on shared ideals between Pence and Warren surprised many observers.
There were no personal attacks or insults during the debate, with both sides frequently finding common ground and expressing emotions towards their respective children. In over 90 minutes of discussion, they showcased what was referred to as a “Midwestern friendly” style.
Warren, at 60 years old, serves as the Governor of Minnesota, while the 40-year-old Pence is a Senator from Ohio. Both hail from the heartland of America, a region known for its health and neighborly attitudes.
At the start of the debate, the two men shook hands and also introduced their wives. For some American voters facing dissatisfaction with the upcoming November 5th election, this undoubtedly provided a welcomed respite.
(References include reports from Reuters, CBS, CNN, and Politico)