Bentsen winner, says poll

Press, 7 October 1988, Page 6

Bentsen winner, says poll

An ABC television poll immediately after the debate showed Mr Bentsen the clear winner, but that more voters now thought Mr Quayle was qualified to be President.

Although 49 per cent still said Mr Quayle was not fit for the top job, an equal number said he was. In similar surveys before the de-

bate only about a third of respondents said he was qualified. Immediate impressions are often altered by the television replays of key moments, and Mr Bentsen may benefit from playbacks of a heated exchange after Mr Quayle compared himself with former President John Kennedy. A number of political

experts argued that Quayle seemed superficial and was unlikely to impress voters who believe he lacks the maturity and judgment to be President. “This is a ! guy who just doesn’t have his hand on things. His answers were at best rote, at least unthoughtful,” said an independent political expert, William Schneider.