Pollsters' Schizophrenia and the 'Convention Bounce'

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The reason Obama is being compared to Palin is because Obama wants it that way. He is the one that keeps making the comparison. His credentials do not stack up well to McCains so he compares himself to her and acts as if that makes him look more credible as a candidate. The problem is that even Palin has more experience in government and leadership than he does. And No, Obama does not run his own campaign so that does not qualify as leadership experience.

Ron P of OR 12:35PM September 11, 2008

I am confuse when everyone talks about selecting the next President of the United States, they don't mention Obama vs. McCain, but Obama vs. Palin.
Doesn't that speak volume about what his party and the people of the United States thinks off McCain, or better yet, do NOT.
We are not selecting the next VP, we are selecting the next President of the United States.
It seems even McCain's own party wish he meets a quick death so Palin can truly represent them: Pro-Gun, Pro-life, and do away with the gays and lesbians.
Let's follow Palin's lead and pray for us to win God's war (Iraq) and additional fundings for a road; while attending at church function to convert homosexuals to heterosexuals.
Seriously?! This is what a govenor does on behalf of the state of Alaska?

Ashley of OR 9:27PM September 10, 2008

I've yet to see a definitive look at the way the participants were chosen. I do know that they were called in most instances. If you look at the percentage of younger people that only have VOIP or Cell Phones I'm pretty sure that a large percentage of the technology crowd is not being represented which could significantly skew the results.

Ron of FL 9:10PM September 09, 2008

When was the last time 200 million voters participated in a general election?
NEVER

JerryTheAngel of IL 3:01PM September 09, 2008

The whole polling process is a snapshot of todays thinking which makes this article spot on. Anyone who wishes to celebrate an early victory in this presidential election might be suffering the same fate as Thomas Dewey's faithful.

Scott of PA 9:09PM August 31, 2008

This whole attempt to explain to your readers the bad news - and that's that Obama is leading is based on this incorrect statement:
"Indeed, if pollsters told us the truth about the electorate, they would have to report that early on in the campaign, a large segment of the electorate, perhaps as much as 40 percent or so"
I'm sory, but this is simply not true. Number of 'leaners' is less than 10% in every poll. Just look at the ones today, Rasmussen has 47%-44% Obama vs McCain in registered voters and 49%-47% when 'leaners' are included.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
That means there's 91% voters that already decided, and only 9%, not '40' that didn't.
Gallup also has 6% who answered 'No Opinion' plus 4% who answered 'Neither'.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/109903/Gallup-Daily-ObamaBiden-Ticket-Leads-Points.aspx
That again is far from '40%'.
Statistics are great for twisting the truth. You just hide numbers and state things like 'up to 40%' instead of 'average of 5-10%'.
Baloney..

of TX 4:12PM August 31, 2008

He announced his candidacy in 2007, which was 2 years after he'd been in the senate...Plus in the senate you deal with a much larger range of issues then as governor of a state that has a population of 700,000 people...Thats smaller than the city i live in...I personally think that experience doesnt really matter with an army of advisors, but seriously Mccain killed the only argument that was resonating with voters because he wanted to pick up Hillary voters...I think this will really backfire

Jane of 3:30PM August 31, 2008

Polls are complete B.S. according to gallup Obama got a 10 point bounce from the convention...No one will really know what will happen in the election until the debates

ellen of PA 3:26PM August 31, 2008

You have GOT TO be kidding!!!! Women are not plug and play interchangeable parts. Has the world gone stark raving mad???
We are NOT stupid. There are REAL issues at stake. After 30 years I lost my Job to a movement off shore. It’s easier to pay someone in India 1/10 of what they paid me.
As a unemployed single mom the IRS does not see that as a hardship, so when I used my 401k to support myself I was penalized and now have a Huge tax bill.
I have done some independent contracts and health care is a huge issue. McCain’s tax rebate of $5,000 is ridiculous. An individual has no power with the insurance companies; power comes with huge groups like corporations.
There are serious issues at stake in this election and we are being played.
Tax breaks for companies that send our jobs off-shore??? Insane!!!. Tax rebate to competitively buy health care??? Ridiculous!!!!
Get a clue. One day this could be you!!

GoneCrazy of GA 11:09AM August 31, 2008

here is more liberal slant, imo.
because obiden did not get an appreiciable covention "bounce"...
BUT now, immediatly BEFORE da gop covention, this writer speaks of "schitzophrenic" polls... (to "explain") any bounce that mccain recieves, imo.
more lies about this election, imo, this time from us news below.
http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/2008/08/29/pollsters-schizophrenia-and-the-convention-bounce.html

brian kemppainen of MI 4:50PM August 30, 2008