From the CNN link:
CBS News' poll specifically focused on uncommitted voters and found 41 percent deemed Edwards the winner, 28 percent chose Cheney, and 31 percent said it was a tie. CBS based its poll on a "nationally representative sample of 178 debate watchers ... who are either undecided about who to vote for or who have a preference but say they could still change their minds."
Pundit's scorecard:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/special/p.../press.pundits/
Carlos Watson
The debate was good, broad and interesting. Two talented candidates offered sharply contrasting visions. Edwards was better in the first half, while Cheney got better as the night wore on.
Both men cited statistics and history and offered a bevy of great one-liners. However, some of Cheney's factual claims are already coming under criticism (e.g. dismissing Edward's "90 percent of coalition casualties" claim and saying he never met Edwards until Tuesday night).
Personally, I thought it was even, which is really a win for Edwards. Going in, people might have been more concerned about him being a "heartbeat" away from the Presidency.
Cheney is sure the ying to Bush's Yang. Where Bush is warm but dim-witted, Cheney is prickly and very smart. Very interesting that he would not comment on his gay daughter, and that Edwards said marriage is "between a man and a woman". Both sides are so afraid of the religious right they are too afraid to say what they must really feel.
Edwards never explained his poor attendance record on votes.