First Debate Leaves Clinton In Lead

Democratic party nominee Clinton already had a significant lead of 57 per cent to 33 per cent over the Republican party candidate dole in opinion polls before the debate.

A quick poll after the debate, by the Columbia Broadcasting Network showed that 92 per cent of the viewers and listeners of the debate would not change their vote, two per cent said that they would shift to Clinton and an equal percentage said they would shift in the opposite direction.

On the question who won the debate, 50 per cent named Clinton, 28 per cent named dole and 17 per cent said it was a tie.

Asked whether Reform Party leader Ross Perot, who won 19 per cent of the presidential votes last time but likely to secure only four per cent this time, should have been included in the debate, 41 per cent said