An Oct. 16 Media Research Center CyberAlert item (and NewsBusters post) by Brent Baker complained that “Democratic operative-turned ABC News journalist George Stephanopoulos made it a ‘clean sweep for Barack Obama’ as he declared on Nightline after Wednesday’s third and final presidential debate: ‘He has won every debate,'” adding that “Stephanopoulos has awarded all four debates this year to the more liberal candidate.”
Baker fails to note that Stephanopoulos’ opinion reflected that of the American public as indicated by post-debate polling, in which a plurality or majority also declared Obama the winner:
- Sept. 26 presidential debate: Obama 51%, McCain 38% (CNN); Obama 39%, McCain 25% (CBS).
- Oct. 2 vice presidential debate: 46% Biden, 21% Palin (CBS); 51% Biden, 36% Palin (CNN).
- Oct. 7 presidential debate: Obama 54%, McCain 30% (CNN); Obama 39%, McCain 27% (CBS).
- Oct. 15 presidential debate: Obama 53%, McCain 22% (CBS); Obama 58%, McCain 31% (CNN).
So agreeing with Americans is evidence of liberal bias?