A CNN/Gallup instant poll finds Kerry the clear winner, 52% to 39%.

A CBS News poll of uncommitted voters who watched the debate found Kerry won, 39% to 25%, with 36% calling it a tie.

An ABC News Instant Poll of voters who watched the debate also found Kerry the winner, 42% to 41%. (Note: The survey group was 38% Republican, 30% Democrat.)

Here are some initial reviews:

CNN
Carlos Watson: “As we went along, as we talked about social security, as we talked about immigration, as we talked even about the Supreme Court, I thought John Kerry ultimately found his voice. And when all is said and done I think Kerry will be proclaimed the winner, which I think will be significant because I think he will be viewed as having won all three debates.” [CNN, 10/13/04, 10:34 PM]

CBS
John Roberts: I would probably have to give it to John Kerry. He seemed a little bit more poised, don't forget he's got a lot more experience in this type of podium type of debate. But the two of them, as Jim said, were very conversive of the issues. I think what you saw up there tonight really was two people who could be presidents, there were two presidents up on the stage. [CBS, John Roberts, 10:35 PM, verified verbatim]

ABC
George Stephanopoulos: “I thought Senator Kerry was most effective on talking about jobs, minimum wage, healthcare and social security” (10.34)

MSNBC
Pat Buchanan: Kerry was, I thought, very much at the top of his game and I thought toward the end, when you saw Kerry, you saw more of the humanity of the man in some of those questions, which was very helpful to them; talking about the daughters and things. I thought he had some excellent moments. [MSNBC 10:33pm]

MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell: “I think Kerry cleared up any confusion that might have existed about how he as a Catholic was dealing with this very complex issue.” [MSNBC 10:31pm]

MSNBC’s Ron Reagan: “John Kerry may win the day after. George Bush made a mistake. Kerry quoted him accurately as it turns out in saying he’s not really worried about Osama bin Laden and Bush came back and said, well I don’t recall ever saying anything like that, we’ll you’ll see the clip of him saying exactly that tomorrow.” [MSNBC 10:32 pm]