How accurate are polls, and should be know if they are being paid by a campaign.

I don't trust them at all, I actually think they are a waste and are being over-used. There are so many ways to manipulate results. I will save judgement for the voting booth.

You may think Rasmussen "leans" but over and over they prove to be the most accurate pollster out there. http://www.fordham.edu/images/academics/graduate_schools/gsas/elections_and_campaign_/poll%20accuracy%20in%20the%202008%20presidential%20election.pdf 2008 election - The following list ranks the 23 organizations by the accuracy of their final, national preelection polls (as reported on pollster.com). 1. Rasmussen (11/1-3)** 1. Pew (10/29-11/1)** Look at the last four on the list: 17. Gallup (10/31-11/2) 18. Reuters/ C-SPAN/ Zogby (10/31-11/3) 19. CBS/Times (10/25-29) 20. Newsweek (10/22-23) Today Rasmussen has them within two points, but says this: "Currently, 43% of voters are “certain” they will vote for Romney. Forty-two percent (42%) are that certain they will vote for Obama. The remaining 15% are either uncommitted or open to changing their mind. " 15% is a lot of votes.

Foremost I believe they are influenced by opinion, loyalties and bias. I like how anything not clearly left is considered slanted. I think poll takers and polls are more influenced by ideology (the country has a big case of it) than money, though I wouldn't be surprised at underhanded dealings at all, especially when some on the political scene seem to portray a 'win at aLL costs' mentality (this America must be changed philosophy, I don't agree with it. I like our roots and constitution, I think the progressives are progressing us right into societal and fiscal/economic collapse.) ...and worse once we have declined far enough..

I seriously doubt that any of them are accurate and they're completely worthless except to use as political tools. We already have enough political sledge hammers, so I don't see why we pay any attention to polls at all.

I think every poll should be taken with a grain of salt. There are often factors that are not taken into consideration and no poll is going to be perfect. Personally I prefer the Rasmussen polls as I find them to be most accurate more often than others. Rasmussen does have a tendency to lean more republican. The reason for that is that they poll likely voters, whereas polls like Gallup poll ALL voters. As I'm sure you know, Democrats have a lower turnout than Republicans in general. Young people are more likely to be democrats, and they are often too lazy or apathetic to vote whereas senior citizens are more often republicans and they have the highest voter turnout. Also, Rasmussen polls work on a 3 day schedule which makes them less volatile, and occasionally leaves them 3 days behind other polls if there is a significant change. I do think that there is definite manipulation in polling because polls decide things like who gets to be in debates. Keeping someone out of debates now is as easy as not including them in the polls. That's how they shut Gary Johnson out of the Republican debates when he was ahead of both Rick Santorum and John Huntsman. They just took his name off the polls and the debates were over for him. I try to look at the polls that are rated as most consistent and accurate. Still, it's best never to limit yourself to just one. Here's how they all did back in 2008. You'll notice Rasmussen was number 1. http://www.nowpublic.com/world/analysis-most-accurate-polls-2008-presidential-election http://www.rove.com/notes/80 http://www.fordham.edu/images/academics/graduate_schools/gsas/elections_and_campaign_/poll%20accuracy%20in%20the%202008%20presidential%20election.pdf http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/pew-rasmussen-most-accurate/2012/09/11/id/451377

Does ANYONE actually look at the polls and say to themselves, gee this candidate appears to be winning so I'll vote for him/her? Polls are political tools. If you want to 'know' what the real situation is, you have to dig a bit deeper. http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/08/25/2012-Untold-Story-Obama-Is-Losing http://www.westernjournalism.com/the-left-wing-disinformation-campaign-to-deflate-your-enthusiasm-2/

I suppose it would have been all right for you if Rasmussen had been a campaign pollster for the Democrats. Actually Rasmussen is the most accurate poll and you can never go by polls. There are many who do not bother with polls. For instance, they get one poll from their party and then another and then another. AFter a while, one does not answer the polls. With the Major Media who all of them (except for Fox News that is neutral) favour the Democratic party as I wonder why you are all up in knots about Rasmussen being a consultant of the Republicans and Bush? What concerns me is those who vote with emotions and the ethnic group of the candidates rather then the plan for the whole country.

I suppose they could be influenced by money, but I think too many of them are influenced by a desire to influence voters with their results.

Could not possible care less. Obama isn't getting my vote no matter what the polls say. Further, the relationship is the reverse. Various political groups support various polls that they find more attractive. But the polls come out first, then money follows. It's like if I started a campaign today, and said I support lowering taxes on businesses, because I support lower taxes on businesses, then businesses would donate to me because they liked my ideas. Very few politicians first get money from political groups, AND THEN, decided what they believe. There have been a few. But most of the time, money does influence what your stance is on an issue, as much as your stance on an issue will determine who gives you money.

I think they are overrated. I think everything is influenced by money for better or worse.

thegreatdebater Polls are just interesting to watch, but not to take too seriously. Too many factors are involved and things can change quickly. I like to use the ones I favor when in a discussion about politics, but I know better than to count on any poll for accuracy..

I think the polls are their for talking points. I wonder where they are getting these poll readings. I have never being polled. It their a specific sites that people visit to poll? I am really curious.