Nope, not really.
Posted on 06/12/2014 8:44:16 AM PDT by Kenny
ERIC CANTOR wasn’t the only person at a loss for words on Tuesday night.
His pollster, McLaughlin & Associates, found itself trying to explain the impossible — how a projected 34 percent lead for the House majority leader 12 days before the election could end up an 11-point loss on Election Day to David Brat of the Tea Party in the Virginia Republican primary.
We’ve all been there. There isn’t a pollster alive — me included — who hasn’t had to take the walk of shame, hat in hand, to explain to an angry client why a predicted outcome simply didn’t happen.
Make no mistake: This was a whopper for the ages. McLaughlin didn’t merely get it wrong; this was quantitative malpractice — a mind-blowing modern-day “Dewey Beats Truman” moment.
That said, polls can’t predict elections. They are essential tools, windows into the minds of a particular audience — but they cannot and should not be used as infallible crystal balls.
Trouble is, pollsters are under ever increasing pressure to feed a voracious media beast and provide the answer to that perennial question, “Who’s gonna win?” And therein lies the problem with polls, pollsters and consumers of both.
<snip>
What is worse, if it’s true, is the suggestion that the Cantor poll was leaked in order to sabotage the other side by suggesting that the majority leader’s lead was insurmountable. In this case, not only was the poll inaccurate, the tactic was inept. It may have created momentum for the other side rather than crushing it, and lends legitimacy to the public skepticism aimed at our craft of late.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
It is really hard to figure what your point is. Are you upset or pleased?
I’m glad Cantor lost, I just hope Brat can win in Nov.
If disgruntled Cantor supporters stay home in protest, and RATS turn out in force...
It is still a win, in fact I would suggest that patriots vote for the Democrat if that is the only way to remove the current GOPe leadership.
“It is still a win, in fact I would suggest that patriots vote for the Democrat if that is the only way to remove the current GOPe leadership.”
It’s not a win if a moonbat takes the seat, and McCarthy takes Majority leader.
Both would be worse than what they replaced.
Nope, not really.
Yes, or they just lie to pollsters, because they are afraid to tell the truth on the phone, knowing the NSA is listening and recording what they say...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! “At least Herr Lindsey is safe!”, “eat it with some ice cream”! LOL
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