[SamAdams76]

In 1980, they preserved the fiction of a Carter win right up until the final weekend. Then they reported a "Reagan surge" in the final days, which is utter BS. That many people don't just flip their vote on the very last day or so. It was just the pollsters realizing they better start reflecting the reality of the situation.

They were allowed to get away with it as with pollsters, they are only really judged on their "final" poll. So Rasmussen (and others) could have this a horse race right until the end and then show Trump +5 on the last day - so long as their final poll is somewhat close, they will be considered accurate and reliable for future election cycles.

Nobody remembers that the pollsters had Carter with a double digit lead over Reagan through most of October 1980!

[Boardwalk]

Also, weren’t the media quite positive that Reagan would start a world war? The end of the world, etc.

[FreeReign]

Yes, I believe you are correct about the so-called Reagan surge and the polls. Only a “final” poll can be graded for accuracy. Any other poll before that, the pollsters are free to do what they want.