Holding the pollsters responsible

[isrealpackard]

We've all seen pollsters who make claims which appear out of line. We've also seen recaps from the 2000 election. Shouldn't we be tracking pollsters and (after we win) ask them to justify their methodogies? To the extent that polls affect election they have a responsibility to us.

[alcuno]

1. The problem is that they are not responsible to us.

They are responsible to the corporations/news organizations that pay them. BTW - Welcome to DU.

[splat]

2. no choice, really

they've admitted that cellphones have left them clueless.

the industry is trying to stay alive until they can sample accurately again (when everybody's online, maybe, or cellphones became callable).

so for now they cover their butts by saying it's close.

[Mira]

3. Holding the pollsters responsible"

Could not agree more!!!!
Their polls are spin in disguise. All LOGIC points to Kerry in a landslide.
The only good thing about the skewed polls is that they will make people go out and vote because they make them know their vote counts.

[RevCheesehead]

4. Let's hold the MEDIA accountable for spinning these polls!

Sort of reminds me of "Apollo 13," when the director is asked what the odds are for the safe return of the astronauts, because Nixon wants to know. He gets mad and says "we are NOT going to lose these men." Then Deke turns to the press guy and says "tell the president 3:1."

So, some pollsters are trying to be honest, and some are stacked to get favorable results for the repukes...and most simply do not have a clue at all. That's why they call it gambling.

[Pithy Cherub]

5. The pollsters customers

are the more appropriate targets. The press has relied on pollsters in order to do a shoddy job of 2nd rate reporting! The polls have replaced the press in getting out and about amongst the people. They use polls as means of driving stories, agendas ands ratings. no where in that was an intent to accurately report. This year a 'registered voter' sample is more likely to be closer to the truth than these inane likely voters that fit a model from the past.

[DCal]

6. Absolutely

Gallup and others have consistently oversampled Republicans in a conscious attempt to effect the outcome of the election. It is calculated and premeditated.

In their final poll in 2000, Gallup at least brought their poll closer to reality (in order to maintain some semblance of credibility). But, prior to that, when there was no way to prove they were wrong, it was one Republican-biased sample after another.

We will see what happens with Gallup's final poll this time. If they get it wrong, it could be their last poll for CNN.

[MoonRiver]

7. Couldn't agree more! And welcome to DU isrealpackard!!

We need to scream and yell after Kerry wins decisively. The polls are clearly bogus and/or rigged to favor the Repuke. NO MORE LIES FROM CORPORATE MEDIA WILL BE TOLERATED.