Fox News Focus Group Says Bernie Sanders Won The Debate

These Democrats are feelin' the Bern.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) had a good night at the first Democratic presidential primary debate. But did he outshine front-runner Hillary Clinton?

A focus group of Florida Democrats selected by GOP pollster Frank Luntz thinks so.

Nearly all of the 28 participants declared Sanders the debate's winner. They described the senator as "strong," "smart" and "for the people," and gave him high marks for the way he dismissed Clinton's ongoing email scandal.

One woman, however, argued that Sanders has an electability problem.

"He's a populist," she said. "I understand the appeal of his proposals, but I don't think he can win."

Nearly all of the participants said they didn't want former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, who turned in poor performances, to participate in future debates.

A post-debate CNN focus group felt similarly about Sanders, with a majority of participants saying he won the debate. A Fusion focus group also sided with the senator by an 8-3 margin.

Watch the focus group via Fox News above.

Also on HuffPost:

Democratic Debate 2016

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot