Mason/Dixon Polls of Virginia and Florida

[WI_DEM]

Virginia: O 47% M 45%
Florida: M: 46% O: 45%

Is it just me or does Mason-Dixon always have Obama leading by smaller margins than other polls?

http://www.pollster.com/blogs/masondixon_fl_va_102021.php

on edit:
apparently this is an improvement for Obama in VA:

Mason-Dixon has released new polls for the battlegrounds of Florida and Virginia -- and they show tight races in these two states.

In Florida, McCain holds a narrow one-point lead over Obama, 46%-45%. Earlier this month, another Mason-Dixon poll showed Obama with a two-point advantage in the Sunshine State, 48%-46%.

And in Virginia, Obama is up two points, 47%-45%; earlier this month, McCain was ahead by three in the state, 48%-45%.

The polls were conducted in each state from October 20-21, and they both have margin of errors of plus-minus 4%.

[cbc5g]

1. They have a (R) House Effect

So I take these numbers as being a moderate lead in Virginia and a slight Obama lead in Florida.

[Marsala]

2. Not just you. Mason-Dixon has a Republican bias

Nate Silver has found that they consistently favor Republicans by a little bit.

[ErinBerin84]

3. it sure seems like it

I remember Chuck Todd kept showing the Mason Dixon poll that had Michigan tied, while all other polls had Obama pulling away.

[matchstick]

4. i think it's good when it's close

it will give the soft obama supporters another reason to go and vote, a huge lead might lead to some just to stay home expecting an obama win....the big leads actually scare me if you ask me!

[S_E_Fudd]

5. Obama was trailing in the last Mason Dixon in Virginia...

From early this month...by 3...

So he has picked up 5 points since then

[WI_DEM]

8. That's good news!

[kennetha]

6. I just don't understand why these polls show such variance from one another

One polls shows VA at like 8-10 points, then another shows it within the MOE and thus essentially tied.

Are they measuring the same underlying reality?

[Schulzz]

7. They had McCain ahead in VA last week - they are definiately leaning Republican. nt

[kennetha]

9. When you say "leaning" Republican, what do you mean?

Do they oversample repugnants compared to other polls?

[Thrill]

10. NBC is always trying to pimp their polls

[rvablue]

11. The M-D poll is commissioned by the Richmond Times Dispatch which is a heavy Repub. rag. n/t