No. I don’t worship polling data. But it’s the only data we have. Why do you qualify Fred as a “viable” conservative? Is there a non-viable conservative in the race? And if so, how can you tell the difference, if not polling data? Sure, all the polls can be wrong, but without them, what is your rationale for calling Fred “viable”? Just cuz you think he is? That’s it??
Data which appears highly flawed or dubious. At best, it might give you a notion of general trends, but even at that, it is often poisoned by how the questions are asked and upon whom is being questioned. I've never been polled in a Presidential race. I don't know anyone who has.
"Why do you qualify Fred as a “viable” conservative?"
Because he is.
"Is there a non-viable conservative in the race?"
Yes, but just one. Duncan Hunter is a non-viable Conservative.
"And if so, how can you tell the difference, if not polling data?"
Simple reasoning. I knew Hunter was never going to be a major viable candidate (although he should've been, especially given the embarrassing RINO rejects that have populated this campaign). I can tell right off the bat who is likely to be competitive and who is likely not to be, and I don't need polling data for that. I've analyzed enough races to instinctively know. I've only been wrong once in 20 years as to whom was going to be our party's nominee (that being 1988 when I thought Bob Dole might top GHW Bush).
"Sure, all the polls can be wrong, but without them, what is your rationale for calling Fred “viable”? Just cuz you think he is? That’s it??"
Because he is a viable candidate, that is quite clear to anyone who has a basic grade-school comprehension of politics. He is the only Conservative in the top-tier. He is the only one with a known national reputation. He has also never lost an election he has participated in. If he believed he was not going to win, he would've never gotten in or withdrawn already. He isn't doing this over ego, but because he was called to run by the people. He's the only candidate who has "it", that combination of qualities that makes a premier Presidential candidate. Two of the other RINO liberals may be leading in the flawed primary polls, but they neither have "it", nor will they be viable in the general election.