BARACK OBAMA - 63.23 MILLION WATCH DEBATE

Some 63.23 million Americans watched Tuesday night's presidential debate on broadcast television and cable (Internet and PBS viewing was not included), according to figures released by Nielsen Research Wednesday. The figure far exceeded the 52.42 million who watched the first debate between John McCain and Barack Obama on Sept. 26 but was significantly lower than the 69.99 million who tuned in for the vice-presidential debate last week. On cable, CNN drew the most viewers, averaging 9.23 million, just ahead of Fox News Channel with 8.77 million. MSNBC counted 3.77 million viewers. Meanwhile, Sen. McCain's reference to Sen. Obama during the debate as "that one" created an overnight industry, with a website, www.thatone08.com, selling "That One" T-shirts and stickers within hours after the debate ended. Demand for the $19.95 T-shirts was so fervent that by today (Thursday) they were going for $24.95.

09/10/2008