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Nuclear Unicorn

(19,497 posts) Wed Jun 17, 2015, 03:19 PM Jun 2015

I don't see the value in polls -- pre-primary -- that gauge candidates against the other party [View all]

Polls that gauge how Democrat A or Democrat B stack-up against Republican X, Y or Z don't strike me as all that valuable at this stage of the game. Those polls really only gauge one thing, Name Recognition.

However, the primaries are the sport of the parties' base, not the general populace. Once the bases have made their decision Name Recognition ceases to be a factor because the resources of the Parties are aligned behind them. Name Recognition becomes moot at that point.

I honestly think it is an over-valued attribute.

23 replies

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I don't see the value in polls -- pre-primary -- that gauge candidates against the other party [View all] Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 OP

Living in California makes primaries a useless sport. Agnosticsherbet Jun 2015 #1

We really need to fix the primary calander. My solution is Exilednight Jun 2015 #4

I would like to see all states hold the primaries on the same day. Agnosticsherbet Jun 2015 #14

That would give a huge advantage to the candidate Exilednight Jun 2015 #15

The existing system already does that. People who don't win one of the early primaries are doomed. Agnosticsherbet Jun 2015 #16

You don't think there's value in knowing which one of our candidates does best in the GE? AFAIC, Tarheel_Dem Jun 2015 #2

I have no faith in those poles. Anyone who wins the Exilednight Jun 2015 #6

Like I said, that seems to be popular thought on BU. Above ground (in the real world), gauging.... Tarheel_Dem Jun 2015 #8

Yes I do dismiss them. 6 weeks out from the first Exilednight Jun 2015 #11

Well, alrighty then. Tarheel_Dem Jun 2015 #12

"You don't think there's value in knowing which one of our candidates does best in the GE?" Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #13

The "full weight of the party" will align long before we get to the GE. Your line of thinking just Tarheel_Dem Jun 2015 #17

I don't see your Dean/Kiucinich comparison as valid. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #18

Think for a bit. I have confidence you can get it. You're arguing "values" over "name recognition". Tarheel_Dem Jun 2015 #19

Well, there is what candidates promise and then there is how they actually conduct themselves. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #20

As a lifelong Democrat. I want to win. Whoever offers the best chance of doing that gets my.... Tarheel_Dem Jun 2015 #23

By the way -- I'd like to take a moment to say Thank-you for the civil discourse. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #21

This message was self-deleted by its author Tarheel_Dem Jun 2015 #22

Recommended. H2O Man Jun 2015 #3

The polls are used to sway public opinion. Avalux Jun 2015 #5

And according to post #2 they look like they work. Exilednight Jun 2015 #7

Including the polls about "Feeling the Bern" in New Hampshire? Is that to "sway public opinion"? Tarheel_Dem Jun 2015 #9

Of course it is. My statement applies to all polls. n/t Avalux Jun 2015 #10