Polls and the Media

Has anyone been paying attention to the latest polls? Well, the major news networks have and apparently Obama and McCain are pretty much in a dead heat. If this is true, then why are the numbers saying otherwise. In an earlier post, I expressed my delight after observing an obvious shift in poll numbers, which by my understanding of polls and statistics, showed a significant shift in public opinion. CNN, however, didn't see that shift. If they didn't see it then obviously Fox News saw the opposite. So let's see what they saw...

On August 25 the Gallup Poll General Election Trial Heat showed Obama down by two points to McCain at 44 to 46. On the 26th however, the numbers shifted in favor of Obama to 45-44. OK, I can see that as a dead heat. However, since that date the number have been climbing steadily. From the 27th onward, Obama has enjoyed at least a 6 point lead up till now: 42-48, 41-49, 41-49, 42-48, 43-49, and 42-50 on September 1.

OK, fine, that's just one poll. However, the only contradictory information to come out since the Democratic National Convention that may support the claims of the major news networks is a CNN/Opinion Research poll that shows McCain at 48 and Obama at 49. I am forced to ask myself about the methodology of a poll that comes out with these results which every single other poll shows otherwise: Diageo/Hotline, 39-48; CBS News, 40-48; USA Today/Gallup, 43-50; and American Research Group, 43-49.

All of these numbers show that the Democrats have made huge gains as a result of their efforts at the convention. Why then, is there misreporting by CNN. It is to be expected by Fox, but everyone knows that most media is largely dominated by the ideological leftist elitists right? Well the numbers are right here people. I am only posing the question, the responsibility is yours to make up your own mind.

Poll numbers provided courtesy of PollingReport.com