First poll shows Mike Pence WON the debate - but voters insist their performances won't affect the way they vote in November 

  • Voters were impressed with Pence's performance in Farmville, Virginia 
  • Some  48 per cent of the audience said in an initial poll that Mike Pence did better than Senator Tim Kaine
  •  Still, the majority of voters said their votes were not swayed by debate
  • About 53 per cent of CNN/ORC poll participants said they will continue to vote for the same candidate they had in mind before Tuesday night
  • See more U.S. election news as first poll shows Mike Pence won debate 

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 01:09 EST, 5 October 2016 | Updated: 03:02 EST, 5 October 2016

Earlier poll results show Donald Trump's running mate Mike Pence won the one and only vice presidential debate.

But voters insisted the battle between the two candidates did little to change their minds.

A CNN/ORC instant poll said 48 per cent of people who watched the debate said Indiana Governor Pence was better than Hillary Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine.

Some 42 per cent of voters said Sen. Kaine's performance was the strongest, the CNN/ORC poll said.

Still, the majority of voters said their votes were not swayed  by debate — with 53 per cent saying they will continue to vote for the same candidate they had in mind before Tuesday night.  

Republican Mike Pence (pictured) took a narrow lead following the vice presidential debate, with 48 per cent of voters who watched saying he was better than Democrat Tim Kaine
Republican Mike Pence took a narrow lead following the vice presidential debate, with 48 per cent of voters who watched saying he was better than Democrat Tim Kaine (pictured)

Republican Mike Pence (left) took a narrow lead in the polls after last night's vice presidential debate. A CNN/ORC instant poll said 48 per cent of people who watched the debate said Indiana Governor Pence was better than Hillary Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine (right)

Viewers were strongly impressed with Pence's performance.

Only 14 per cent of voters said Pence did worse than they thought he would — with about two-thirds saying he was better than they expected.

For Kaine, the numbers are more negative: 43 percent said he did worse than expected, while 38 percent said he outperformed expectations, the snap poll said.

As for how they defended their presidential candidates, 58 per cent of viewers thought Kaine was a strong Clinton defender. 

In a show of strength for the Republican ticket, 35 percent of viewers thought Pence did a good job defending the Republican candidate.

Viewers were strongly impressed with Pence's performance. Only 14 per cent of voters said Pence (right)  did worse than they thought he would. Two thirds said he did better than they first expected 

Viewers were strongly impressed with Pence's performance. Only 14 per cent of voters said Pence (right)  did worse than they thought he would. Two thirds said he did better than they first expected 

The CNN/ORC poll, which interviewed 472  registered voters, had a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points.  

When asked about understanding of the issues, 48 percent of voters said Kaine did better, compared to Pence's 41 percent.

Some 77 percent of people said they think Pence is qualified to take over as president, compared to Kaine's 70 percent.

After the debate, Clinton tweeted: 'Lucky to have a partner like Tim Kaine who stood up for our shared vision tonight — instead of trying to deny it.'

Trump said: 'Mike Pence won big. We should all be proud of Mike:' 

As for how they defended their presidential candidates, 58 per cent of viewers thought Kaine was a strong Clinton defender

As for how they defended their presidential candidates, 58 per cent of viewers thought Kaine was a strong Clinton defender

From Trump, 35 percent of viewers thought Pence did a good job defending the Republican candidate

From Trump, 35 percent of viewers thought Pence did a good job defending the Republican candidate

 

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