I don't really believe polls any more.

[captain queeg]

I mean they are representative to +/- 10% but in politics the decisions are usually within that margin. I don’t know much about how they are put together but it seems like they haven’t really kept pace with society. Does anyone recommend a specific survey service that has a consistent history of being very close concerning results? Obviously gauging people’s responses a year in advance is tricky business but sure seems like some stuff I see is way off.

[everyonematters]

1. There are people who just won't talk to Pollsters.

Most of them seem to be Republicans, but not all. My wife is not, but she won't talk to them. She thinks they are trying to get personal information from her.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

2. My wife lies to them for some reason

Some others I know, mostly conservatives, say they will gladly talk to them and lie about everything.

[stillcool]

3. I don't believe much of anything...

took long enough.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Polls have always had problems, and are understood to be...

simply guides, not exact results. Or even inexact results. (Remember the Dewey Beats Truman headlines?)

Statisticians have managed to deal with most problems, but some just can't be dealt with. And there's no reason to. Things change pretty fast these days.

[MichMan]

5. Yet some take exit polling as proof that elections were fixed