Exit Poll Secrecy Measures Aim to Plug Leaks to Blogs

Wall Street Journal ^ | November 7,2006 | Amy Schatz

[Rivendell]

That said I'll be shocked if nothing leaks before polls close. Libs have tried to alter TWO elections both in 2000 and 2004.....I don't think they have it in them to be that honest.

Then you have to factor in just human nature. They'll have information, and they'll want to share it.

Very true. The closest they might come to keep from leaking is if their results look like the DBM pundits blew it big time, (which I think they have)and the RAT tidal wave turns out to be less than puddle whimper, they may not be so eager to "leak" any exit poll results...but then, they would probably just make it up as they go....like they usually do.

From my perspective It's going to be a long night before we get ACCURATE feedback no matter what projections leak.

I agree. Exit polls are IMHO no more reliable than a CNN/CBS/ABC/etc poll, as was evidenced in 2004.

If you have not already done so, GET OUT AND VOTE PLEASE!!!

[Right_in_Virginia]

Voting since 1972, I've never seen an exit poller.

Saw my first one today.

[phs3]

Does exit polling favor the unemployed dems. I mean most of my friends and I work and vote late in the evening.

[MortMan]

The extraordinary security is a result of mix-ups that prompted grumbling about the accuracy of exit polls after the 2004 presidential election: Bloggers posted data from early exit polls, incorrectly calling some states for Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry and indicating that he would unseat President Bush.

Horse manure!

Those "mix-ups" were a deliberate attempt to sway the election.

It was not an accuracy problem with the 2004 exit polls, but a bias problem.

I don't recall the bloggers calling any states. IIRC, the networks called the states early because they were afraid they would get scooped by the blogs. Can anyone shed more light on this aspect?

Somebody get a giant pooper-scooper... The DBM is festering in the sunlight, and it stinks!

[MortMan]

Are you telling me you didn't actually vote for Captain Kirk in 2004? I'm SHOCKED! ;-P

[The Louiswu]

Your post was so funny, I had to whip this up!

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I wonder if Drudge will post exit polls as he has done in the past?

[raftguide]

"What good is an exit poll? Just count the darn votes already and forget the early predictions........."

The press, to our chagrin, is a business. To make a race a photo finish is more lucrative than one with a clear winner weeks before the vote. However, the blogs are eating the MSM's profits. The goal here is to lock out the bloggers and make certain you tune to the MSM's commercials...er...stations for the prognostications.

[raftguide]

"Few people want to...stay for several minutes and talk to a pollster."

Those who have nothing better to do don't mind. And those with nothing better to do are....well, you get the picture.

[Toidylop]

"Exit Poll Secrecy Measures Aim to Plug Leaks to Blogs..."

'cuse me... Have you seen flies refused a blob of sh*t???