Why did USA/Gallup wait until the peak of the RNC convention

[carpe diem]

to take a National poll and why didn't they do one the weekend after the DNC convention or wait a week after both? They are creating the headlines they want and helping create the narrative that supports the candidate they prefer.

[slackmaster]

1. Their intent is to sell as many newspapers as possible

They don't care who wins. They want a horse race, so they can generate all kinds of news that the sheeple will pay money to read.

[blm]

7. Don't make the huge $ off ads - their parent companies make money off what TV sells the people

and especially when their news networks can sell people war and the global fascist agenda.

[slackmaster]

8. Yes, news is a loss leader for them

It draws in the audience so it can be bombarded with commercial ads.

[blm]

11. News SELLS the wars and acceptance of fascism that the news network OWNERS need sold.

GE makes far more money off its Defense Industry than its broadcasting, but they USE the broadcast airtime to SELL the war to the people and provide ample cover for the politicians who will serve that war agenda.

Your view is far too benign - they are willing to LOSE MONEY on the networks, using the news outlets for their Public Relations Dept. and expensing it accordingly.

[Eric J in MN]

2. Gallup polls daily. NT

NT

[WeDidIt]

4. Not the poll being touted today

Sorry, the poll being touted today is not the daily tracking poll.

[TexasObserver]

5. you're confusing their daily polling with their commissioned polling for USA Today

The USA Today poll is the one with the major spin. It always is. The Gallup polls commissioned by USA Today are always many points to the right of all other polls. Gallup is a whore to many major business interests, in this case, USA Today, which is a rightwing rag.

[carpe diem]

6. there is Gallup:

http://www.gallup.com/tag/Gallup%2bDaily.aspx

and there us USA Today/ Gallup:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-07-poll_N.htm


Why they do two and get different results for each? Your guess is as good as mine.

[WeDidIt]

3. Prop up McCain

Nobody will want their services if it's clear McCain is losing.

[asjr]

9. Why should we believe any of these

polls? They are pushing propaganda.

[lurky]

10. There was a great interview on

"On The Media" on NPR over the weekend. It was with a guy who worked at Gallup for many years and just wrote a book about all the ways polls are manipulated, as well as other issues with polling accuracy, cell-phone users, etc. The transcript isn't up yet, but you can listen to it here:
http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2008/09/05/02

I thought it was really fascinating stuff.

[zanne]

12. The Republican strategy didn't allow for an Obama bounce.

Announcing his VP pick the morning after the convention allowed McCain to grab all the media attention. Bush got a big bounce after the Republican Convention four years ago. The party that gets to be last is the party that gets the bounce.