Election post 4

Polling Week:

I
McCain is at 42%
Obama is at 52%
"With 1% of registered voters saying they will vote for another specific candidate, only 6% remain undecided, one of the smallest levels to date." -Gallup Polls

Analysis: with only a 3% margin of error on polls, it is obvious that McCain is falling behind. he has maintained between a 40-43% support rating for the past few weeks, but in the past 3 weeks, support of rObama has risen 4% from 48% on october 5th. it may have something to do with the recent endorsement of Coloin Powell, a major figure in the republican party.

II
Debate watchers were more likely to say McCain did a better job than Obama in the third debate than in the second debate (30% vs 23%), but McCain's best showing was the first debate, when 34% said he did the better job. Barack Obama was seen as winning all three, however, with 46%, 56% and 56% of people saying they preffered Obama to McCain in the debate.

Analysis: The debates are one of the most important factors in influencing voters for one candidate or the other, and according to other polls, the combination of Obama's strong performances and the overwhelming approval rate of his performances has positively influenced voters to vote for Obama. It's is most likely his poublic speaking skills which had the most effect on viewers as far as deciding who won, and McCain just doesn't have the same skills as a public speaker as Obama.

Senate Race:
I
Warner(D)- 57% to
Gilmore (R)- 31 %
11% undecided

Analysis: the democrats are winning everything. possibly because of the new found power of the democratic party, headed by barack obama. Senate races in several states are showing a strong lead for the demiocratic candidates, and it may just be time for the dem's to completly take over the senate. the races are still too close to tell in a few states, but overall in VA and elsewhere, the democratic candidates maintain a strong lead over the Republicans

ROLL OF POLLS:
+give almost accurate, up to date information.
+majority of people say theytrust poll results as accurate measures of public opinion.
+show what issues are most important to voters

-candidates are sometimes too concerned with poll results to focus on issues
-poll results published too early or too late will influence voters on certain issues