Did Daily Kos' 'bogus' polls swing elections?
The liberal politics site is leveling charges of fraud against its hired pollster. Some commentators say the suspect surveys had real-world electoral consequences
Liberal blogging site Daily Kos has filed a lawsuit accusing its former polling firm, Research 2000, of providing "bogus" data — leading observers to wonder what effect the allegedly phony survey results may have had on tight elections and America's broader political discourse: (Watch Rush Limbaugh claim he knew the polls were bogus)
This is serious business — polls can tip elections: Sketchy polls can turn into self-fulfilling prophecies, says David Catanese at Politico. Case in point: Arkansas' recent Senate primary, where "Daily Kos/Research 2000 polls were the only public surveys available for consumption." R2K painted moderate Sen. Blanche Lincoln as "a goner," scaring incumbents across the nation and pushing Lincoln's opponent, Bill Halter, from insurgent to perceived favorite — giving him nearly enough momentum to win.
"Poll scandal shocks campaigns"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Research 2000 also drove Republicans and Democrats farther apart: "Besides skewing election narratives," say Dan Amira at New York magazine, Research 2000 produced polls that helped deepen the rift between conservatives and liberals. In one infamous survey, 73 percent of Republicans said gays shouldn't be allowed to teach in schools, and 31 percent thought contraception should be banned. No news on whether that poll was phony, but if it was liberals can "sleep easier at night."
"Does alleged poll fraud mean Republicans aren't quite as scary?"
R2K's downfall is good news for conservatives: "If the numbers really are bogus, it's embarrassing for [Daily Kos founder Markos] Moulitsas," says Alex Pappas at Daily Caller, but it's also good news for conservatives. Moulitsas has used Research 2000's left-leaning stats to bolster his claim that the GOP doesn't represent mainstream Americans. Without R2K to fall back on, he'll have a much harder time doing that.
"GOPers may fare better with absence of Research2000/Kos polls"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The growing thirst for camel milk
Under the radar Climate change and health-conscious consumers are pushing demand for nutrient-rich product – and the growth of industrialised farming
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published