At first glance, there seems to be a dramatic change in just a short time in the generic congressional ballot question.
2/8: Top 10 Reasons Pollsters Would Make Good Meteorologists
February 8, 2017
By Dr. Lee M. Miringoff The top 10 reasons pollsters would make good meteorologists are: 10. When surprised by a wintry forecast, a pollster already has experience using a big shovel to dig out 9. If a tornado is in the forecast, a pollster can instruct everyone on how to spin 8. When in doubt […]
11/2: Passing the Baton
November 2, 2016
By Dr. Lee M. Miringoff My class this semester on “The Presidential Campaign of 2016” at Marist College is a group of talented and enthusiastic undergraduates bringing their fresh perspective to voting, this unprecedented presidential election, and the state of American democracy. It warms the political scientist side of my heart to interact with this […]
1/30: The Enduring Value of Public Polls
January 30, 2016
By Dr. Lee M. Miringoff In this primary season the only conclusion that makes sense is that very little has made sense. Rigorous, scientific public polls have provided a very useful road map. As fellow pollster Gary Langer has commented: although public polls, the good and the bad, are often mixed together like champagne, cola, […]
1/22: Top Ten Things Candidates Say When They Know They Are Down in the Polls
January 22, 2016
By Dr. Lee M. Miringoff The top ten things candidates say when they know they are down in the polls are: 10) I’m right where I want to be. 9) Polls go up, polls go down. 8) I’m running neck and neck among _________ (fill in demographic group). 7) That’s not what our polls show. […]
1/8: A Psephologist’s Lament (And, You Can Look It Up)
January 8, 2016
By Dr. Lee M. Miringoff Poll Watcher Season is upon us big time. And, with it comes both the good and the bad. Each election cycle resurrects some oldies about the failings of public polls and typically ushers in a few new critiques. Expect 2016 to follow the same pattern. In an attempt to shed […]
4/14: Removing the Label of Inevitability?
April 14, 2015
By Dr. Lee M. Miringoff The Hillary Clinton 1.0 “Listening Tour” and the 2.0 “Listening Tour” may be the same remedy from a campaign strategy point of view, but the circumstances are very different. When seeking the U.S. Senate from New York, although well-known, she had never sought elective office and had to prove herself […]
2/19: It’s Getting Later Earlier
February 19, 2015
By Dr. Lee M. Miringoff Some time back, we added 24 x 7 and the permanent campaign to America’s political lexicon. But, it sure seems like we are pushing the envelope this time around with about 20 GOP wannabes off and (almost) running for their party’s nomination. On the Democratic side, things are atypically more […]