Here is a thought. We know a number of polls normalize to try and get the "right" mix of Reps, Dems, and others, most notably Zogby.
What if the Dems have specifically been getting their supporters taking these polls to lie about their party in the battleground states? We *know* that Democrat activists have a tendency to do this (just listen to CSPAN call ins).
Then, you'd find Kerry's numbers artifically high in the battleground states like FL and OH, and suprisingly lower in normally safe Democrat states - like NJ or CT...
Just a thought.
Speaking of Zogby Poll. A one day poll today nationally had the President at 50% and Kerry at 43% according to Zogby. Looks like the polls are breaking in favor of the President. It seems that has been the case since the end of the last debate.
Activists don't know if they will be polled. And if they will, they'll probably be one of less than 5 people in a poll of hundreds that is an activist.
No significant influence from lying then. Zogby, who is pulling for Kerry, has explained that if a pollster purposefully tanks his poll for one candidate or the other, they will lose all credibility, which is all that they really have to sell their product.
That's why no one takes Lake, Snell, Perry Associates seriously.