[MNJohnnie]

Too bad for them Gallup polls registered, not likely voters. Registered voter polls always track left, just like the media coverage since people who aren't really inserted, and do not usually vote, will simple repeat the last headline their saw or news blub they read.

Odd that Gallup still uses this obsolete polling standard.

[andy58-in-nh]

You're gernally correct, but a minor correction (insofar as I've been involved with statistical analysis for a long time) - many political polls do in fact track to the left, but because they poll "Adults", not registered voters (RVs). RVs provide a reliable sample of party and ideological self-identification in the year before an election event.

The best data comes from polls of likely voters (LVs) - but typically one cannot determine who is truly likely to vote until somewhere around 60 days before an election.

I certainly would avoid hyperventilating about Gallup or anyone else's poll right now. They really are meaningless in predicting the outcome of an election one year away, especially when the potential opposition lacks a viable candidate, and the incumbent is intensely disliked by a large segment of the voting population.

[andy58-in-nh]

gernally= generally (damned arthritic fingers!)

[Thane_Banquo]

Odd that Gallup still uses this obsolete polling standard.

Well, if they didn't use that standard, Obama wouldn't look as good. Do we really need to ask why?