I think the disparity between the election day exit polls and the actual vote came about because of an attitude on the Bush side, which seemed to be, "It's time to shut up and vote." Yesterday I noticed the complete absence of Bush-Cheney signs anywhere near the approach to the Ward 2 polls, while at the same time there was a Kerry-Edwards sign about every five feet. On my way out of the polls (I voted the straight Republican ticket for about the first time in my life) I was asked by a young woman if I'd like to answer a survey that would be used by the TV networks. When I saw that she was asking me to fill out an exit poll, I said, "No thanks," and continued on my way. Apparently I was not the only Bush-Cheney voter to do that.
Also, the lack of Bush-Cheney signs didn't mean there was a lack of effort by the Republicans. In the days leading up to the election I received lots of recorded phone messages from George Bush, Laura Bush, Curt Schilling, and Rudy Giuliani, all urging me to get out and vote. I'm a pretty popular guy don't you know!
It was pretty much the same for me here in Laconia - Lots of Kerry/Edwards signs, few Bush/Cheney signs. I, too, refused to answer the exit polls. I'd already answered the most important one and felt that anything after that was just 'political' masturbation.
Posted by: DCE | November 04, 2004 at 07:33 AM
Apparently the Kerry-Edwards campaign was paying quite a bit of attention to the exit polls and as a result they had their victory celebration all set to go. Gee, I feel so bad for 'em.
Posted by: Tom Bowler | November 05, 2004 at 06:43 AM