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Are political polls really relevant in the age of cell phones and no call list?

It seems to me that the media is using poll numbers to exclude the candidates who are not drawing large numbers according to their polls. In other words, they are widdling down the field and it isn't their right to do that. Especially considering that so many people carry cell phones and are not going to be called to answer the polls. Then, when I consider that so many people have made it a point to put their home phone numbers on no call list, I can't help believing that the majority of American voters are never call to answer a phone poll. Should American voters be doing something to force the major media outlets to stop intruding into the Presidential campains by eliminating candidates due to polling numbers? Ok mild. I'll have to take your word for that. But what about the fact that so many people don't even have home phone numbers today, due to cell phones. And do the pollsters call the people who have internet phones, such as Vonage? Did God himself come down to earth and tell you that Disneyland? How do you know that? And please don't tell me that Hannity told you. He is hardly an unbiased source. I find it interesting that none of you have bothered to touch the issue of the major media outlets, who eliminate candidates due to poll numbers, are overstepping their bounds. Shall I remind you that if polls had any validity, Howard Dean would have won Iowa in the last election? Gd2cook, Good point. I was watching Tim Russert this morning. I consider him to be a good journalist. And he kept quoting poll numbers. That allowed him to only mention the 3 top runner, according to the polls, on the Democratic side, and the 4 top runners, according to the polls, on the Republican side. Neither he nor his guest panel mentioned the other candidates at all. That is not good journalism. Especially when one considers that the polls can be so wrong.

Public Comments

1. Political polls are exempt from the do not call lists. They can call anytime they want.
2. Political Polls can be manipulated and the Media is a major offender.
3. You've got to wonder about the political opinions of anyone who actually talks to telemarketers and poll-takers anyway. Hello...caller I.D.?
4. yes - especially compared to the stupid on-line polls where people can vote numerous times. The worst ones for accuracy are the ones where you call a number to express your opinion. An example of this was after a GOP debate. There was no way that Ron Paul had that much support unless his supporters called numerous times.
5. Political polls give work to those at the networks that have nothing better to do. Lawyers are recycled into politicians as a means of keeping the really professional liars out of general circulation I fear. Polls are used to influence; Not to report the real facts anyway. Makes you wonder what kind of havoc would ensue if the truth were forced out of the mouths of the networks. Ask Tom Brokaw.
6. I think polls that you see on TV aren't legit. They're more than likely skewed to what the owners of the networks want to hear. Ever noticed the differences between CNN and Fox news. Big Media plays way to much an influence on people's lives and the big thing is that people are too ignorant to see that. If they are told this fact then the person that told them must be a conspiracy theorist. Wake up people! TV polls are what the networks want you to hear. Have you ever been contacted by a pollster? Imagine that. People who get most of their news from various sources other than TV are the most informed individuals. Ron Paul 2008!
7. Hi,if America is the same has the UK Media then I take no notice of them.