Debate ratings fall, still beat 2000 figures

[Boredtodeath]

Debate ratings fall, still beat 2000 figures

Nearly 46.7 million TV viewers watched Friday's debate between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry — a sharp decline from the audience for the initial debate Sept. 30 but 11 million more than watched the second presidential debate in 2000.

Overall viewership fell about 25 percent from the 62.5 million who watched the first debate in Miami.

snip....

But politics has already beaten baseball once this year, when more viewers tuned into the vice presidential debate Oct. 5 between Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. John Edwards than a Twins-Yankees playoff game.

The 11.5 million viewers who watched the debate on NBC represented a 53 percent increase from the vice presidential debate in 2000.

Find this article at:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/election/1004nation/12debratings.html

[Free2BMe]

1. What is the debate format for tomorrow night???

[Boredtodeath]

4. I really don't know, but

I also don't think it matters. Bush* is incapable of debating the issues or his record - Kerry will crucify him no matter what the format is.

[RoyalWickedness]

7. Same format, same rules as first debate

At podium, same time limits, etc.

[Free2BMe]

8. Thanks..that's music to my ears...

[sisenor]

2. Yeahy! BUSH approval rating down!!

To the lowest level since July, 47 percent from 49. Just heard it from Bill Hemmer's mouth (cnn).

[Boredtodeath]

3. People are ENGAGED!

If these numbers tell us nothing else, they tell us that.

53% more people made it a point to become more engaged, more informed, more involved than 4 years ago; on a Friday night competing with baseball.

That's huge! And GOOD.

[Spangle]

5. Can't stand watchin him make a fool out of himself AGAIN!

That is why I think people didn't watch the second one.

[devinsgram]

6. First impression, folks

The first debate always gets the most attention, *'s first impression was horrible and that's what will resonate with the undecided voters.