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UPDATED: It may have been dull, but that didn’t stop viewers from watching.
Tuesday night’s presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama was seen by 63.2 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.
That’s about 21% more than watched the candidates’ first showdown two weeks ago — an event seen by 52.4 million — and ranks as the highest-rated top-of-the-ticket debate since 1992.
If one includes PBS viewership estimates, which are not part of the Nielsen sample, Tuesday’s debate audience rises to 66 million.
Yet last night couldn’t compare to Thursday’s vp showdown between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden, which was seen by 10% more viewers than last night (70 million) and retains the record as the second-most-watched debate of all time.
Tuesday’s bout will stand as the highest-rated debate among Oval Office candidates since Bill Clinton, Ross Perot and George Bush squared off in 1992.
For the third debate in a row this election season, ABC was the most-watched network (13.2 million viewers). CNN (9.4 million) won among cable networks.
Info:
– Nationals: ABC 13.2 million viewers … NBC 10.9 million … CBS 9.4 million… CNN 9.2 million … Fox News 8.8 million … Fox 5.3 million … MSNBC 3.8 million … CNBC 842,000 [more to come]
– First 2008 presidential debate: 52.4 million … vp debate: 70 million … last night: 63.2 million.
– PBS is not part of the Nielsen sample, but its audience projections show a similar arc: 2.8 million viewers — higher thanFriday’s presidential debate (2.6 million), lower than Thursday’s vp debate (3.5 million).
– The Nashville market, where the debate was held, had the largest TV audience (59.2 HH rating) and the Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, Calif., market had the lowest (31.8).
Reaction, polls, video and analysis:
"Sharp tone, no gaffes," writes USA Today … "Worst-moderated debate in history of presidential debates," quotes the National Review … Fact check … The "that one" video. … "I’m sure he didn’t mean any disrespect," says Lieberman. More videos … "A status quo debate," writes Washington Post … "Town hall didn’t help McCain," says Salon … "At one point, about 15 voters posed for a group picture like it was the last day of camp,” writes Slate … "At times it seemed more like a competition to see who could paint the gloaming in the least unsettling hues," says the New York Times … "A mauling," says Andrew Sullivan … "The tension between them was palpable," writes Politico … Debate polls say Obama won … Election polls suggest tightening race.
– Tuesday night’s other program ratings — "NCIS," "Dancing With the Stars," etc.
– Previous: What do debate ratings tell us about the election?
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Hill, for all those eloquent words you are lacking any touch of REALITY.
What do you base these outrages comparisons on? Please name something besides his middle name? Just because you’re paranoid does not make Obama the boogey man.
The reality is we have two choices and you have made one out to be on par with Hitler??? I have to admit that I’ve been following this race pretty closely and I have no idea where you come up with this view. Be honest with yourself if Obama was Jones with Blond hair you would have a completely different view, and that MY FRIEND is racism at its base level.
Reality, my friend? Your version is a sugar-coated panacea.
I generate my comparisons from a lifetime studying the evolution of revolution. When a demoralized people fail to stand up for themselves, they will fall for anything. That is our dilemma today.
A person who is uncomfortable with his own name, AND in his own skin, has two options. Change it or accept it. Hiding from it reveals a character flaw. Our nation already has been paved to the road to ruin by so many flawed characters! Another demagogue, Democrat demigod won’t solve the problems. Another incompetent, another usual suspect, may only exacerbate them.
Your preoccupation with racial stereotypes reveals something about your dark side, Patrick. Are you consciencely aware of your frequent use of racial code words. You dare to accuse me of being racist!?
Reality smacked me hard in February, 1993. My daugher worked on the 96th floor of Tower One at the World Trade Center in New York City. Reality literally fell on me like a ton of bricks on September 11, 2001 at 8:46 AM EDT. My next-door neighbor and good friend was incinerated in the same building. On November 9, 2004, my cousin, Scott, a Navy Seal, was killed in an accident, over there.
My vendetta has nothing in common with your uncivil hatred, my friend! First and foremost, we must be secure. Any other endeavor is secondary. I will not vote for a weakling and a coward. A man who fears to venture into the kitten’s crib of the Fox News Channel has no business leading a nation into the lion’s den of a dangerous world!
Patrick, I was hoping you’d perceive the message to my madness. You came close. You need only a slight nudge now.
In a posting last night you wrote, “Hill, for all those eloquent words you are lacking any touch of REALITY.” You unknowingly took your first step into the light.
You and I are now tuned into the same frequency. Your epiphany awaits. For me its a birthing ritual! I’m only waiting for that magic word. The word Patty Duke uttered as Hellen Keller in her Academy Award winning role in the classic film, The Miracle Worker.
WaaaaaWaaaaa. Say it!
For I am Obama and it is you who described me best.
…..”for all those eloquent words you are lacking any touch of REALITY.” I am the reflection of your own doubts and misgivings. In my post from yesterday morning, I begged you, “please, don’t hold me responsible for any of your doubts or suspicions pertaining to Barack Obama’s qualifications, or lack thereof…” And yet you did!
Patrick, you transferred your own subconscious uncertainty about Obama over to a complete stranger on a blog stuck in the world wide web. How is the eloquent junior senator from Illinois any more connected to reality than me, and you for that matter?
I admit he is eloquent and he is poised. We both agree there. But does he have the wisdom and character to lead, or is he the consummate actor, cast in the role of a lifetime.
The presidency, my friend, is not a golden statuette, awarded once a year. It is the most solemn responsibilty ever entrusted to a single man. Your right to vote was purchased by the bravery of many generations. It has been annointed in the blood of uncounted anonymous patriots. I beg you, again. Choose wisely.