LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the question observers are asking this morning is: Who won in this tight presidential race? Analysts were predicting the debates could tip the balance of one way or the other. But, as CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider reports, this first debate might not have answered many questions.</s>WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): What did viewers think? We asked 435 debate watchers which candidate they thought did the better job? 48 percent said Al Gore, 41 percent said George W. Bush, that's within the poll's margin of error; bottom-line: no clear winner. In fact, strong majorities gave both candidates positive reviews. That may have helped Bush, who faces a stature gap with the vice president. Twenty-seven percent of viewers said the debate made them feel more favorable toward Gore; but a slightly larger number, 34 percent, said the debate gave them a better opinion of Bush. Bush seemed to hold his own against the vice president, so he may have gotten a bigger boost, but was it enough to turn the campaign around? Only three percent of viewers said the debate caused them to change their vote, net impact? Not much change. Viewers may feel more comfortable with Bush, but the Texas governor still faces the same problem: He has to give people a compelling reason to vote for change at a time of peace and prosperity. Bill Schneider, CNN, Atlanta.
Debate Reaction: No Clear Winner