Why SurveyUSA post-debate poll shouldn't be taken seriously: It surveyed Republicans!

[antiimperialist]

How and why would you mix Republicans and Independents with Democrats in asking who won the debate? Of course they (Republcans) will vote for the person who connected the least with Democrats, since Democrats and Republicans have opposite views on policy.
This is why when asked "Who won the debate", the Survey USA poll yielded these strange results:

-Hillary won overwhelmingly
-Joe Biden came out second, just 1 point behind Obama
-Edwards came fourth behind Biden

The goal of a debate is not to win the hearts and mind of Republicans. It's about connecting with primary voters.

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportPopup.aspx?g=64f6e1dd-d718-4f17-b6b9-ea197e7b1111&q=41501
Survey USA poll should be dismissed due to lack of seriousness.

[LoZoccolo]

1. Sure, if the poll doesn't say what I would want it to say, I dismiss it too. n/t

[antiimperialist]

2. Wrong. I don't want Republicans saying they loved Obama's performance

...that would mean he was Bush-lite.

[NewYorkJ]

3. Poll of debate watchers only

Still, could it indicate that Clinton might perform well in the general election?

[maximusveritas]

4. Well, if you look at the crosstabs

Hillary did well across the board, but especially with Democrats, so it wouldn't make a difference if it was just Democrats. And even though these may not technically be likely voters, if they watched the debates, they're at least somewhat likely.
So I don't think you can dismiss this poll that easilly.
I think the more obvious explanation for these results is that they were influenced by the post-debate spin from the media. That's why Hillary and Biden's totals are inflated, and why these results differ quite a bit from the focus group results. Nevertheless, it's hard to deny that even if Hillary didn't win the debate, she is perceived as having won it.