Talk Elections

Election Archive => 2008 U.S. Presidential General Election Polls => Topic started by: Sam Spade on August 14, 2008, 04:07:51 PM



Title: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Sam Spade on August 14, 2008, 04:07:51 PM
New Poll: Colorado President by Rasmussen on 2008-08-13 (https://uselectionatlas.org/POLLS/PRESIDENT/2008/pollsa.php?action=indpoll&id=820080813016)

Summary: D: 48%, R: 49%, U: 2%

Poll Source URL: Full Poll Details (http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/state_toplines/colorado/toplines_colorado_presidential_election_august_13_2008)

W/O Leaners

McCain 47%

Obama 45%

Other 4%

Undecided 4%



With Leaners

McCain 49%

Obama 48%

Other 1%

Undecided 2%


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Eraserhead on August 14, 2008, 04:13:47 PM
Well, that's no good.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Kaine for Senate '18 on August 14, 2008, 04:14:25 PM
:(


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: DownWithTheLeft on August 14, 2008, 04:15:38 PM
Pretty good when you put it with the fact Udall broke out a bigger lead in the senate race


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Franzl on August 14, 2008, 04:16:08 PM
first time, isn't it? (at least as long as I can remember)


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Eraserhead on August 14, 2008, 04:20:41 PM
first time, isn't it? (at least as long as I can remember)

There was also a Q poll where he had a 2% lead a little while ago.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Rococo4 on August 14, 2008, 04:20:59 PM
yay


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Sam Spade on August 14, 2008, 04:21:55 PM
first time, isn't it? (at least as long as I can remember)

There was also a Q poll where he had a 2% lead a little while ago.

Correct.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: agcatter on August 14, 2008, 04:26:09 PM
Statistical dead heat in Colorado and Virginia.  Ought to be an interesting fall.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Reaganfan on August 14, 2008, 04:27:54 PM
O-Noz!



Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: MasterJedi on August 14, 2008, 04:54:49 PM
(
)

I'd like to see that, along with Jamespol's reaction if it's exactly like 2000. :P


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: True Democrat on August 14, 2008, 04:58:55 PM
(
)

I'd like to see that, along with Jamespol's reaction if it's exactly like 2000. :P
[/quote

New Hampshire went Bush in 2000.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: MasterJedi on August 14, 2008, 04:59:48 PM
(
)

I'd like to see that, along with Jamespol's reaction if it's exactly like 2000. :P
[/quote

New Hampshire went Bush in 2000.

Bah, you get the picture. The whole "it's not going to be the same forever".


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Eraserhead on August 14, 2008, 05:00:58 PM
(
)

I'd like to see that, along with Jamespol's reaction if it's exactly like 2000. :P

Hmm... that map actually looks pretty reasonable right about now.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Person Man on August 14, 2008, 05:02:43 PM
Gee, this is pretty frustrating.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Rowan on August 14, 2008, 05:22:49 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Alcon on August 14, 2008, 05:23:34 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.

overreading polls to see what you want.

That said, horrible polling day for Obama.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Ronnie on August 14, 2008, 05:23:39 PM
Wooooooooooooo!!!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

CO would be a huge win for McCain, especially since he would be squeezed electorally if he can't get the state.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Hash on August 14, 2008, 05:23:45 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.

Shut up.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Rowan on August 14, 2008, 05:25:17 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.

Shut up.

Play nice or don't play at all.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Person Man on August 14, 2008, 05:35:47 PM
Gee, it's really going to suck if Obama can win only the states that Kerry or Gore won.  It will appear that there is NO PATH TO VICTORY!!


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Josh/Devilman88 on August 14, 2008, 05:37:36 PM
And people say Rasmusssen is lean republican.. don't believe these polls.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Rowan on August 14, 2008, 05:39:25 PM
And people say Rasmusssen is lean republican.. don't believe these polls.

If Rasmussen is lean Republican than what is Qunnipiac who showed McCain +2?


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Josh/Devilman88 on August 14, 2008, 05:40:04 PM
And people say Rasmusssen is lean republican.. don't believe these polls.

Uni poll...

If Rasmussen is lean Republican than what is Qunnipiac who showed McCain +2?


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Rowan on August 14, 2008, 05:41:21 PM
Alright,  you are saying Q and RAS are illegitimate pollsters. So which pollsters DO you believe then?


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Хahar 🤔 on August 14, 2008, 05:45:42 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.

LOL.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Gustaf on August 14, 2008, 05:51:42 PM
And people say Rasmusssen is lean republican.. don't believe these polls.

No...you say that. :P


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Eraserhead on August 14, 2008, 05:52:01 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.

Yeah, because we know that Hillary would poll so much better in those states... :P


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Josh/Devilman88 on August 14, 2008, 05:52:19 PM
Alright,  you are saying Q and RAS are illegitimate pollsters. So which pollsters DO you believe then?

None right now...


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Josh/Devilman88 on August 14, 2008, 05:52:55 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.

Yeah, because we know how much better Hillary would poll in those states... :P

Wasn't CO lean McCain when they polled McCain vs Hillary...


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Sam Spade on August 14, 2008, 05:57:13 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.

Yeah, because we know how much better Hillary would poll in those states... :P

Wasn't CO lean McCain when they polled McCain vs Hillary...

Colorado hates the Clintons - that result is always obvious.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Democratic Hawk on August 14, 2008, 06:07:26 PM
Gee, it's really going to suck if Obama can win only the states that Kerry or Gore won.  It will appear that there is NO PATH TO VICTORY!!

Victory for McCain rewards Bush and sends an appalling message that goverance with all the finesse of an idiologically-driven cackhanded incompetent is something that should not go unpunished

Bottom-line. McCain's part in enabling Bush is not something worthy of promotion

America may be a center-right nation, in that conservatives outnumber liberals 3 to 2, but that shouldn't entitle Republican to govern poorly without fear of electoral consequences. It does, however, give them a higher floor in the Electoral College :(

Dave


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Gustaf on August 14, 2008, 06:10:45 PM
Gee, it's really going to suck if Obama can win only the states that Kerry or Gore won.  It will appear that there is NO PATH TO VICTORY!!

Victory for McCain rewards Bush and sends an appalling message that goverance with all the finesse of an idiologically-driven cackhanded incompetent is something that should not go unpunished

Bottom-line. McCain's part in enabling Bush is not something worthy of promotion

America may be a center-right nation, in that conservatives outnumber liberals 3 to 2, but that shouldn't entitle Republican to govern poorly without fear of electoral consequences. It does, however, give them a higher floor in the Electoral College :(

Dave

That's 1.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: agcatter on August 14, 2008, 06:16:47 PM
Hillary was always polling well below Obama in Colorado.  No way she'd carry the state.  All the spring polls showed her losing by double digits or close to it.

HOWEVER, she was up in Florida and well up in Ohio and had close to blowout leads in Penn and Michigan.  She wouldn't need Colorado or Virginia or Iowa, Nevada or NM for that matter.  She wins and wins easily.

Soooo, what are you gonna do Democrats?  It's not too late to take the sure thing.  And spare me the "we'll alienate the blacks" stuff.  They aren't voting for the Republican.  Maybe some won't vote but even if that happens (and I doubt it would be a significant number anyway) she pulls in the working class Reagan Dems and takes the White House.

Maybe Barack wins anyway, but it's maybe 50-50.  Hillary is a slam dunk.

What to do?


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: DownWithTheLeft on August 14, 2008, 06:34:39 PM
Alright,  you are saying Q and RAS are illegitimate pollsters. So which pollsters DO you believe then?
He believes and worships any pollster that makes NC remotely close


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: War on Want on August 14, 2008, 06:36:20 PM
Crap, oh well. I am still confident that Obama will eke this one out.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: ChrisFromNJ on August 14, 2008, 06:36:58 PM
Scott Rasmussen needed to "adjust" his polls a little bit so he could make his weekly appearance on the Sean Hannity Show.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Hash on August 14, 2008, 06:38:10 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.

Shut up.

Play nice or don't play at all.
]

Only if you stop posting stupidities.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: War on Want on August 14, 2008, 06:39:18 PM
Scott Rasmussen needed to "adjust" his polls a little bit so he could make his weekly appearance on the Sean Hannity Show.
Stop believe in conspiracy bull sh**t. Obama will still win so stop bitching.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Saxwsylvania on August 14, 2008, 06:44:57 PM
Not much to see in this thread.  Just a bunch of liberals whining about statistic noise and hacks throwing away the poll because it doesn't confirm their biases.

Seriously though, where is an Ohio poll?  The one state that this election will probably hinge on, and it seems like there's been 2+ months without anything.  At least there's still Washington state to talk about.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Rowan on August 14, 2008, 06:50:15 PM
Not much to see in this thread.  Just a bunch of liberals whining about statistic noise and hacks throwing away the poll because it doesn't confirm their biases.

Seriously though, where is an Ohio poll?  The one state that this election will probably hinge on, and it seems like there's been 2+ months without anything.  At least there's still Washington state to talk about.

McCain is up comfortably in OH. Don't worry.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Eraserhead on August 14, 2008, 06:51:35 PM
Not much to see in this thread.  Just a bunch of liberals whining about statistic noise and hacks throwing away the poll because it doesn't confirm their biases.

Seriously though, where is an Ohio poll?  The one state that this election will probably hinge on, and it seems like there's been 2+ months without anything.  At least there's still Washington state to talk about.

McCain is up comfortably in OH. Don't worry.

And you're basing this on...


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: War on Want on August 14, 2008, 06:51:54 PM
Not much to see in this thread.  Just a bunch of liberals whining about statistic noise and hacks throwing away the poll because it doesn't confirm their biases.

Seriously though, where is an Ohio poll?  The one state that this election will probably hinge on, and it seems like there's been 2+ months without anything.  At least there's still Washington state to talk about.

McCain is up comfortably in OH. Don't worry.

And you're basing this on...


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Alcon on August 14, 2008, 06:54:37 PM
Not much to see in this thread.  Just a bunch of liberals whining about statistic noise and hacks throwing away the poll because it doesn't confirm their biases.

Seriously though, where is an Ohio poll?  The one state that this election will probably hinge on, and it seems like there's been 2+ months without anything.  At least there's still Washington state to talk about.

McCain is up comfortably in OH. Don't worry.

And you're basing this on...

I think I figured it out.  He's friends with Mike Naso (http://www.easternuswx.com/bb/lofiversion/index.php/t158623.html).


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Rowan on August 14, 2008, 06:55:29 PM
Not much to see in this thread.  Just a bunch of liberals whining about statistic noise and hacks throwing away the poll because it doesn't confirm their biases.

Seriously though, where is an Ohio poll?  The one state that this election will probably hinge on, and it seems like there's been 2+ months without anything.  At least there's still Washington state to talk about.

McCain is up comfortably in OH. Don't worry.

And you're basing this on...

Rasmussen has McCain +10 and there are a lot of bible thumping, gun clinging bitter people in OH.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Hash on August 14, 2008, 07:00:11 PM
I love it when people base their "analysis" on one poll.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Aizen on August 14, 2008, 07:00:31 PM
It would seem the fundies have finally awaken from their slumber. I've noticed McCain bumper stickers and whatnot all around recently. It was inevitable that the race would tighten here although I was hoping Colorado would remain "lean Obama" for just a bit longer. Now it looks like a true tossup. It is important to note that McCain has been outspending ABM here, at least on TV ads. Perhaps it's time to stop pissing away money in places like North Carolina and Georgia and start focusing on the vital states?


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Mr.Phips on August 14, 2008, 07:11:19 PM
Obama collapsing in Minnesota and Colorado.

It's still not too late to nominate Hillary.

Yeah, do that and say goodbye to big gains in the House. 


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Mr.Phips on August 14, 2008, 07:12:59 PM
Hillary was always polling well below Obama in Colorado.  No way she'd carry the state.  All the spring polls showed her losing by double digits or close to it.

HOWEVER, she was up in Florida and well up in Ohio and had close to blowout leads in Penn and Michigan.  She wouldn't need Colorado or Virginia or Iowa, Nevada or NM for that matter.  She wins and wins easily.

Soooo, what are you gonna do Democrats?  It's not too late to take the sure thing.  And spare me the "we'll alienate the blacks" stuff.  They aren't voting for the Republican.  Maybe some won't vote but even if that happens (and I doubt it would be a significant number anyway) she pulls in the working class Reagan Dems and takes the White House.

Maybe Barack wins anyway, but it's maybe 50-50.  Hillary is a slam dunk.

What to do?

Would Democrats want her to lose Colorado and likely take Mark Udall down with her?  I think not. 


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Democratic Hawk on August 14, 2008, 07:27:48 PM
Not much to see in this thread.  Just a bunch of liberals whining about statistic noise and hacks throwing away the poll because it doesn't confirm their biases.

Seriously though, where is an Ohio poll?  The one state that this election will probably hinge on, and it seems like there's been 2+ months without anything.  At least there's still Washington state to talk about.

McCain is up comfortably in OH. Don't worry.

And you're basing this on...

Rasmussen has McCain +10 and there are a lot of bible thumping, gun clinging bitter people in OH.

Rural blight actually concerns Obama, as it would any Christian :) Democrat

Dave


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee on August 14, 2008, 07:30:14 PM
Scott Rasmussen needed to "adjust" his polls a little bit so he could make his weekly appearance on the Sean Hannity Show.
Rasmussen got every Senate race in 2006, they got every Governors race right exceopt MN. They also did very well in 2004.

A slight lead in a swing state in August means little or nothing. The next poll probably could have Obama up.

It would seem the fundies have finally awaken from their slumber. I've noticed McCain bumper stickers and whatnot all around recently. It was inevitable that the race would tighten here although I was hoping Colorado would remain "lean ABM" for just a bit longer. Now it looks like a true tossup. It is important to note that McCain has been outspending ABM here, at least on TV ads. Perhaps it's time to stop pissing away money in places like North Carolina and Georgia and start focusing on the vital states?

That may very well be the case. Indeed we may see future polls coming out with Schafer closing the gap significantly in the Senate race. That outcome may then hinge on the Presidential winner in CO. 



Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Josh/Devilman88 on August 14, 2008, 07:35:05 PM
NC Yankee where in NC do you live?


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Fmr. Pres. Duke on August 14, 2008, 07:52:49 PM
Well, this is good news for McCain. This is the second of three recent polls to have him ahead in Colorado. This state will be extremely close this fall. I had it as a lean Obama state, but I am moving back in the tossup category.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Fmr. Pres. Duke on August 14, 2008, 07:57:01 PM
NC Yankee where in NC do you live?

Yes, welcome to the NC delegation. I'll be heading back on Saturday for school.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: WalterMitty on August 14, 2008, 08:27:54 PM
And people say Rasmusssen is lean republican.. don't believe these polls.

we should *never* believe any poll that shows obama behind!


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Fmr. Pres. Duke on August 14, 2008, 08:49:43 PM
And people say Rasmusssen is lean republican.. don't believe these polls.

we should *never* believe any poll that shows obama behind!

The only accurate polls are the ones that show NC close.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Tender Branson on August 15, 2008, 01:30:49 AM
Explanation by Tom Jensen from PPP:

"Three days ago we said Barack Obama was up four in Colorado. Today Rasmussen says John McCain is up a point. I don't know who's right but I can tell you one reason for the difference in our polls.

Rasmussen's numbers are based on 500 interviews conducted Wednesday night.

We did 500 interviews last Tuesday night in Colorado, and based on those McCain was up by a point as well. But we also called everyone in the sample who we didn't reach Tuesday night again Wednesday morning, Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday night, and Thursday afternoon. We got almost another 500 respondents and they went for Obama by a good amount, pushing him to a four point lead.

As far as I can tell Rasmussen just makes calls until they get 500 respondents. When we buy a sample we attempt to reach every number in it at least four times over a period of several days and go with whatever number of respondents we get based on that. And we almost always find that the further into conducting the poll we go, the better Obama does. I don't know if it's that his supporters are harder to get on the line or what, but we're finding that trend in nearly every state we poll.

I'm not saying that one way or another is better- Rasmussen has an outstanding track record- just pointing out that differences in the way we conduct our polls may help explain some of the differences in the numbers we produce. It's not as simple as just saying Rasmussen is Republican and PPP is Democratic."

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2008/08/ppp-rasmussen-and-colorado.html


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Eraserhead on August 15, 2008, 01:43:07 AM
And people say Rasmusssen is lean republican.. don't believe these polls.

we should *never* believe any poll that shows obama behind!

The only accurate polls are the ones that show NC close.

Let the trolling begin.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Rowan on August 15, 2008, 05:58:58 AM
Explanation by Tom Jensen from PPP:

"Three days ago we said Barack Obama was up four in Colorado. Today Rasmussen says John McCain is up a point. I don't know who's right but I can tell you one reason for the difference in our polls.

Rasmussen's numbers are based on 500 interviews conducted Wednesday night.

We did 500 interviews last Tuesday night in Colorado, and based on those McCain was up by a point as well. But we also called everyone in the sample who we didn't reach Tuesday night again Wednesday morning, Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday night, and Thursday afternoon. We got almost another 500 respondents and they went for Obama by a good amount, pushing him to a four point lead.

As far as I can tell Rasmussen just makes calls until they get 500 respondents. When we buy a sample we attempt to reach every number in it at least four times over a period of several days and go with whatever number of respondents we get based on that. And we almost always find that the further into conducting the poll we go, the better Obama does. I don't know if it's that his supporters are harder to get on the line or what, but we're finding that trend in nearly every state we poll.

I'm not saying that one way or another is better- Rasmussen has an outstanding track record- just pointing out that differences in the way we conduct our polls may help explain some of the differences in the numbers we produce. It's not as simple as just saying Rasmussen is Republican and PPP is Democratic."

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2008/08/ppp-rasmussen-and-colorado.html

Or is it that PPP goes and tries to find Obama votes so that his numbers appear better.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Umengus on August 15, 2008, 07:02:28 AM
Gee, it's really going to suck if Obama can win only the states that Kerry or Gore won.  It will appear that there is NO PATH TO VICTORY!!

Victory for McCain rewards Bush and sends an appalling message that goverance with all the finesse of an idiologically-driven cackhanded incompetent is something that should not go unpunished

Bottom-line. McCain's part in enabling Bush is not something worthy of promotion

America may be a center-right nation, in that conservatives outnumber liberals 3 to 2, but that shouldn't entitle Republican to govern poorly without fear of electoral consequences. It does, however, give them a higher floor in the Electoral College :(

Dave

Mc cain is not Bush. Why should he paid for the Bush "mistakes" ? Presidential election is a choice about the future, not about the  past.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Umengus on August 15, 2008, 07:05:21 AM
Rasmussen is not a republican pollster or a organization who has a gop bias. It's just the best pollster, at least for presidential election.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Beet on August 15, 2008, 08:47:44 AM
Explanation by Tom Jensen from PPP:

"Three days ago we said Barack Obama was up four in Colorado. Today Rasmussen says John McCain is up a point. I don't know who's right but I can tell you one reason for the difference in our polls.

Rasmussen's numbers are based on 500 interviews conducted Wednesday night.

We did 500 interviews last Tuesday night in Colorado, and based on those McCain was up by a point as well. But we also called everyone in the sample who we didn't reach Tuesday night again Wednesday morning, Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday night, and Thursday afternoon. We got almost another 500 respondents and they went for Obama by a good amount, pushing him to a four point lead.

As far as I can tell Rasmussen just makes calls until they get 500 respondents. When we buy a sample we attempt to reach every number in it at least four times over a period of several days and go with whatever number of respondents we get based on that. And we almost always find that the further into conducting the poll we go, the better Obama does. I don't know if it's that his supporters are harder to get on the line or what, but we're finding that trend in nearly every state we poll.

I'm not saying that one way or another is better- Rasmussen has an outstanding track record- just pointing out that differences in the way we conduct our polls may help explain some of the differences in the numbers we produce. It's not as simple as just saying Rasmussen is Republican and PPP is Democratic."

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2008/08/ppp-rasmussen-and-colorado.html

Or is it that PPP goes and tries to find Obama votes so that his numbers appear better.

It seems that is what he is saying, if he's saying they have a bigger sample and they think there are people who for some non-random reason are less likely to be receivable at night time, or just less likely to pick up the phone, but will be there during the day or will pick up if you attempt many times.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Democratic Hawk on August 15, 2008, 09:47:04 AM
Gee, it's really going to suck if Obama can win only the states that Kerry or Gore won.  It will appear that there is NO PATH TO VICTORY!!

Victory for McCain rewards Bush and sends an appalling message that goverance with all the finesse of an idiologically-driven cackhanded incompetent is something that should not go unpunished

Bottom-line. McCain's part in enabling Bush is not something worthy of promotion

America may be a center-right nation, in that conservatives outnumber liberals 3 to 2, but that shouldn't entitle Republican to govern poorly without fear of electoral consequences. It does, however, give them a higher floor in the Electoral College :(

Dave

Mc cain is not Bush. Why should he paid for the Bush "mistakes" ? Presidential election is a choice about the future, not about the  past.

I've already answered that ;)

Bottom-line. McCain's part in enabling Bush is not something worthy of promotion

This election should be about the future vs the past eight years of Republican governance. I support Obama for two reasons:

1. He's the candidate closest to my own Christian :) Democratic convictions on economic and quality of life issues

2. He's my candidate to restore American prestige abroad and reassert her moral authority

Back in January, when I bestowed Favored Republican status on John McCain, the very thought of me becoming one of his most strident critics on the Forum couldn't have been further from my mind. He only has himself to blame; and it is a consequence of his very own actions, which has compelled me to hold no candle for the John McCain of 2008

Dave


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: ChrisFromNJ on August 15, 2008, 09:56:16 AM
OMG OBAMA IS LOSING AN AUGUST POLL BY WITHIN THE MARGIN OF ERROR THE ELECTION IS OVER.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Sam Spade on August 15, 2008, 10:36:18 AM
POLLSTER FIGHT!

(it's kinda like a cripple fight, but less amusing)

A general point:

The main problem with PPP that I have as an issue is that they have worked for Democrats in the past in North Carolina and were considered solely a Democratic firm before their first perusals into "independent" polling in 2006, which solely consisted of polling NC-11 and maybe something else I missed.

Therefore, we have no track record for them and no way to judge what their biases or non-biases are.

Considering the situation to be the opposite to Strategic Vision in 2004.  There we had a firm that was considered solely a Republican firm before their first perusals into "independent" polling. 

What did that election show us?  Their samples leaned too Republican, except in their home base area of Florida/Georgia.  But they were no less wrong to the Republican side than R2000 was to the Democratic side, which makes sense considering who runs R2000.

But should we consider them an "independent" pollster now?  Yes, unless the sample says otherwise.  Just merely keep in mind that their samples typically (but not always) lean too Republican with the exceptions as above (they were also ok there in 2006 as well).

As for Rasmussen, he may be a Republican, but there's no history that he's ever done any polling for any Republican ever.  The only polling he did for any politician were a couple of polls for Badnarik in 2004, amusingly.

Rasmussen obviously gets lambasted for his 2000 national result, as well he should.  But the interesting thing about that election was that the state polls he ran were pretty damn accurate.  And in 2004 and 2006, his state polls were pretty much on the money - I think only M-D performed better and it was close.

Now, I have issues with his method, especially in the summer.  One day polling in the summer is especially problematic for, oddly enough, the reasons that PPP mentions.  Theoretically, the method, though, should cause the same problems that most summer polling creates - jumping around and a Democratic lean.

One last thing - additional callbacks of people don't necessarily make the polls more accurate.  Look at what M-D does.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: opebo on August 15, 2008, 11:11:41 AM
So the map looks sort of like this at the moment?:

(
)

Obama 264
McCain  245
Tossup   29

Or more like this?:

(
)

McCain 265
Obama 264
Tossup 9


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Person Man on August 15, 2008, 11:23:00 AM
Looks like it will either all come down to Colorado or Ohio.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Democratic Hawk on August 15, 2008, 11:31:04 AM
Looks like it will either all come down to Colorado or Ohio.

As of today, it would


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: emailking on August 15, 2008, 11:41:02 AM
Explanation by Tom Jensen from PPP:

"Three days ago we said Barack Obama was up four in Colorado. Today Rasmussen says John McCain is up a point. I don't know who's right but I can tell you one reason for the difference in our polls.

Rasmussen's numbers are based on 500 interviews conducted Wednesday night.

We did 500 interviews last Tuesday night in Colorado, and based on those McCain was up by a point as well. But we also called everyone in the sample who we didn't reach Tuesday night again Wednesday morning, Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday night, and Thursday afternoon. We got almost another 500 respondents and they went for Obama by a good amount, pushing him to a four point lead.

As far as I can tell Rasmussen just makes calls until they get 500 respondents. When we buy a sample we attempt to reach every number in it at least four times over a period of several days and go with whatever number of respondents we get based on that. And we almost always find that the further into conducting the poll we go, the better Obama does. I don't know if it's that his supporters are harder to get on the line or what, but we're finding that trend in nearly every state we poll.

I'm not saying that one way or another is better- Rasmussen has an outstanding track record- just pointing out that differences in the way we conduct our polls may help explain some of the differences in the numbers we produce. It's not as simple as just saying Rasmussen is Republican and PPP is Democratic."

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2008/08/ppp-rasmussen-and-colorado.html

Or is it that PPP goes and tries to find Obama votes so that his numbers appear better.

It seems that is what he is saying, if he's saying they have a bigger sample and they think there are people who for some non-random reason are less likely to be receivable at night time, or just less likely to pick up the phone, but will be there during the day or will pick up if you attempt many times.

That's not at all what he's saying. Read it again. They did a sample size of about 1000 (pre-selected) and got 500 respondents on their first night of calling. This crew was for McCain by one point. They then continued to try and reach the other 500 in the pre-selected sample. When they did, they found Obama was up over McCain in the original, pre-selected sample of 1000. They did not go looking for "Obama" votes to make his numbers appear better. The question here is which sampling strategy better represents the population (and produces more turthful responses) of actual voters on November 4th.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Beet on August 15, 2008, 11:45:19 AM
Explanation by Tom Jensen from PPP:

"Three days ago we said Barack Obama was up four in Colorado. Today Rasmussen says John McCain is up a point. I don't know who's right but I can tell you one reason for the difference in our polls.

Rasmussen's numbers are based on 500 interviews conducted Wednesday night.

We did 500 interviews last Tuesday night in Colorado, and based on those McCain was up by a point as well. But we also called everyone in the sample who we didn't reach Tuesday night again Wednesday morning, Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday night, and Thursday afternoon. We got almost another 500 respondents and they went for Obama by a good amount, pushing him to a four point lead.

As far as I can tell Rasmussen just makes calls until they get 500 respondents. When we buy a sample we attempt to reach every number in it at least four times over a period of several days and go with whatever number of respondents we get based on that. And we almost always find that the further into conducting the poll we go, the better Obama does. I don't know if it's that his supporters are harder to get on the line or what, but we're finding that trend in nearly every state we poll.

I'm not saying that one way or another is better- Rasmussen has an outstanding track record- just pointing out that differences in the way we conduct our polls may help explain some of the differences in the numbers we produce. It's not as simple as just saying Rasmussen is Republican and PPP is Democratic."

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2008/08/ppp-rasmussen-and-colorado.html

Or is it that PPP goes and tries to find Obama votes so that his numbers appear better.

It seems that is what he is saying, if he's saying they have a bigger sample and they think there are people who for some non-random reason are less likely to be receivable at night time, or just less likely to pick up the phone, but will be there during the day or will pick up if you attempt many times.

That's not at all what he's saying. Read it again. They did a sample size of about 1000 (pre-selected) and got 500 respondents on their first night of calling. This crew was for McCain by one point. They then continued to try and reach the other 500 in the pre-selected sample. When they did, they found Obama was up over McCain in the original, pre-selected sample of 1000. They did not go looking for "Obama" votes to make his numbers appear better. The question here is which sampling strategy better represents the population (and produces more turthful responses) of actual voters on November 4th.

I was responding to the bold text, not Rowan's comment. Sorry for the confusion.

And yes, the reason why the PPP strategy might better represent the population is that there are people who for some non-random reason are less likely to be receivable at night time, or just less likely to pick up the phone, but will be there during the day or will pick up if you attempt many times. I was not arguing that they went looking for Obama votes. It could simply be that the Obama supporters for some reason are less likely to pick up the phone at night. Getting a truthful answer is a different question. You could have a very good, representative sample but be getting bad answers from them. One thing the robocall method of interviewing is going to filter out (for the most part) is respondent bias based on social embarrassment or the demographic of the caller.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: emailking on August 15, 2008, 01:08:46 PM
Oh, ok. Sorry.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Flying Dog on August 15, 2008, 01:30:45 PM
How.... infuriating.


Title: Re: CO: Rasmussen: McCain leads by 1%
Post by: Small Business Owner of Any Repute on August 15, 2008, 01:51:08 PM
Bottom-line. McCain's part in enabling Bush is not something worthy of promotion

Interpretation: You are totally not cool with everything McCain did from 2001–2007.

Back in January, when I bestowed Favored Republican status on John McCain, the very thought of me becoming one of his most strident critics on the Forum couldn't have been further from my mind. He only has himself to blame; and it is a consequence of his very own actions, which has compelled me to hold no candle for the John McCain of 2008

Interpretation: You are totally cool with everything McCain did from 2001–2007, you just don't like the election posturing that any Republican candidate would, of course, have to do.

This sorta reminds me how every single Democrat from Illinois I knew was so happily behind Topinka for Governor around 2004, and then instantly switched to the painfully unpopular incumbent once the election campaign actually started.

Partisans never seem to be able to help themselves.