Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Surprise! Oversampling Dems Puts Obama in Lead
Breitbart ^ | Sept 14,2012 | Mike Flynn

Posted on 09/15/2012 7:28:38 AM PDT by Innovative

Obama's convention bounce seems to have evaporated. Rasmussen today has Romney up 3 points. Today's Gallup tracking poll had Obama up 5, a loss of 2 points over two days. Gallup uses a 7 day rolling average, so expect this number to continue to come down over the next several days. Undaunted, the media are trumpeting new polls with show Obama with 3 point lead nationally and significant leads in the battleground states of Florida, Ohio and Virginia. As is becoming routine, these new polls again oversample Democrats.

I realize oversampling Democrats is simply part of an effort to create an air of inevitability for Obama's reelection. Its a narrative the media is desperate to foster.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: elections; obama; polls; romney
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-30 last
To: LoveUSA

I’ve wondered the same thing: if you call up 1,000 voters on a supposedly random basis, and you get 70 percent Dems and 30 percent Republicans, and they all tell you they are going to vote straight party line, does that mean you have established accurately that the Democrat is going to receive something close to 70 percent of the vote?

But I know that pundits are always talking about “sampling” and “weighting” the polls. So I assume the “weighting” comes in when they get the rough numbers, and then apply turnout ratios (and probably other factors) to the 70-30 split and come up with something a bit different.

What I see conservatives hanging their hats on this time is that many pollsters are using 2008 turnout numbers to weight the results; and in 2008 the proportion of Republicans voting was far less than in, for instance, 2010.

Then again I could be completely wrong.


21 posted on 09/15/2012 11:08:58 AM PDT by Fightin Whitey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: JLAGRAYFOX

I can’t see Obie breaking 40%. %35 wacko lefties and a small portion of the indies. 56/39/5. Landslide


22 posted on 09/15/2012 11:22:45 AM PDT by chiller (First check the poll's Dem/Rep/Ind sampling numbers, then re-think.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Innovative

That could also backfire. Obama supporters could also stay home believing that his win is assured and so they’re vote isn’t necessary.


23 posted on 09/15/2012 11:36:57 AM PDT by tegan48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: John in Wisconsin

In 2008 Zero did not win in Georgia, and in 2012 he has an even slimmer shot. We have a Republican guv and a Republican dominated state legislature.


24 posted on 09/15/2012 11:57:26 AM PDT by Hotlanta Mike (Resurrect the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC)...before there is no America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

You’re a bit new in town to tell us to start worrying. IMHO, this election will be a repeat of ‘10, maybe a bigger ass whoopin’, plus winning the White House.


25 posted on 09/15/2012 12:09:45 PM PDT by Road Warrior ‘04 (I miss President Bush! 2012 - The End Of An Error! (Oathkeeper))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Fightin Whitey; LoveUSA

Fair polls reflect the actual ratio of D/R/I, whatever that may be: ratio of registered voters or likely voters (which obviously takes into account how likely they are to vote.).
Oversampling means that the polls ask more of one party, than their actual ratio.

It is NOT just more of one side vs the other.

As an example, say that some place they have 60% D and 40% R registered. If the poll is weighted to have 60% D and 40% R in that sample, than the poll is properly weighted.

If they poll 70% D and 30% R, when there are 60% D and 40% R registered, then they are oversampling Democrats.

Oversampling means that the polls don’t reflect the actual ratio.


26 posted on 09/15/2012 2:15:33 PM PDT by Innovative ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Innovative

Thanks for setting me straight. : D


27 posted on 09/15/2012 3:53:08 PM PDT by LoveUSA (God employs Man's strength; Satan exploits Man's weakness.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Innovative

Believe me, I am a broken glass voter.Nothing but God will stop me from voting in Nov.


28 posted on 09/15/2012 3:55:00 PM PDT by mware (By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: John in Wisconsin
Many of the top union/DNC strategies were field tested in Wisconsin this past year. Since Walker held on to his job by a larger margin than forecase, I guess the last-minute-signage was a failure and won't be replicated?
29 posted on 09/15/2012 9:28:17 PM PDT by KeithSchuler
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA

There is nothing wrong with not knowing something, better to ask and find out.


30 posted on 09/15/2012 9:37:49 PM PDT by Innovative ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-30 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson