Slog - Comments on Better, Better... http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better Copyright 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:32:31 -0800 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:21:44 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by give it up You watch Gallup like some kind of idiot who doesn't understand the big complicated election.

So are you feeling more confident? Is Obama's big gay marriage endorsement back on the calendar now?

]]> give it up http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152433 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152433 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:38:24 -0800 Comment by JC Uh. Fucking stop it.

]]> JC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152434 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152434 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:40:19 -0800 Comment by OMG Hey...wait a minute. Those numbers aren't in order...

]]> OMG http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152435 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152435 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:41:49 -0800 Comment by Anne 1. These polls don't represent the electoral reality of how our election works. It's idiotic to keep posting them. I thought you were smarter than this.

2. Also, JEEZ, the big, blurry, blown-up, pixellated graphic is fucking ugly. Stop wasting space on Slog. Ugh.

]]> Anne http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152438 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152438 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:46:12 -0800 Comment by demolator Expect McCain's next "game-changer" (and Dan's panicked response) in five... four... three...

]]> demolator http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152439 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152439 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:46:26 -0800 Comment by Julie in Chicago I don't think posting the Gallup numbers means that Dan doesn't understand the electoral college system, or that this is a "big complicated election".

Yes, yes, we all know that something like fivethirtyeight.com is a better predictor of the outcome. But the Gallup numbers are still interesting in that they shed a small bit of light on how Americans as a whole are reacting to the candidates and to current events. Which is why I presume Dan keeps posting them.

]]> Julie in Chicago http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152442 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152442 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:51:50 -0800 Comment by tranny @4 Why did you think he was smarter than this? He posts equally stupid shit like this on a regular basis. He hangs out with Andrew Sullivan and suddenly thinks he is more than just a sex columnist. Age old story -- it's like the bimbo film starlet who "really wants to direct".

]]> tranny http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152458 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152458 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:04:35 -0800 Comment by Leslie N. I understand the compulsion to watch the polls, but maybe Terry or Eli or someone can find a way to get you off of them for a week or so? For your own good, you know.

]]> Leslie N. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152467 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152467 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:14:33 -0800 Comment by Scott in Chi-town Mmmmm.. That's good pollin'!

]]> Scott in Chi-town http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152471 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152471 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:15:25 -0800 Comment by Captain Jack Wow, it seems the posting of the Gallup poll numbers filled some people with rage.

]]> Captain Jack http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152512 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152512 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:39:18 -0800 Comment by rob Well, at least it suggests that the Bradley Effect may have them tied now, rather than Obama 7 points down.

]]> rob http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152517 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152517 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:41:48 -0800 Comment by Andrew Taylor Bradley effect (possibly) gone away:

http://election.princeton.edu/


]]> Andrew Taylor http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152542 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152542 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:56:12 -0800 Comment by Jo Spot Dan. Loving reader here. Go buy a copy of How to Lie With Statistics, by Darrell Huff and Irving Geis. Read the first three pages. You don't even have to read the whole book. Seriously. It will save you so much stress and heartache, and it will save the rest of us the irritation at seeing someone as intelligent as yourself seemingly swallowing the massive load of [insert offensive bodily product here] that is polling.

p.s. I've taken a lot of advanced research statistics... Huff and geis is simpled down but they're on point with their facts

]]> Jo Spot http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152552 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152552 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:01:09 -0800 Comment by Andy Niable, Poll Smoker Dan:

When your obsessiveness gets so close it PIXELATES, you've got a problem.

Relax.

]]> Andy Niable, Poll Smoker http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152648 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152648 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:09:52 -0800 Comment by GDC So what are you all saying, McCain is winning by a landslide?

Most of the polls have Obama ahead and gaining in the popular vote, electoral votes and in swing states. They also indicate it is a very close race- Obama is just a point or two above the margin of error.

But you are saying all polls are bullshit. Which would mean McCain is blowing Obama away.

What method are you using to draw that conclusion?

Remember the polls say "Obama ahead in tight race". You are saying that is wrong. What no poll data are you using? Maybe the "I only listen to Fox News" method.

]]> GDC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152892 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/better_better#c1152892 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:21:44 -0800