Why aren't the polls reflecting what it seems most DUers think?

[Aussie leftie]

After reading most of the posts, John Edwards should be in the lead, yet results from the Iowan Primary and the most recent debate suggests otherwise. From what I have seen of Obama he is all charisma and no substance.

[ananda]

1. possibly two factors

The lamestream media who focus on
Clinton and Obama..

and the fact that Edwards has decided
not to accept big money or corporate
donations the way Obama and Clinton
are doing.

Edwards has a great message. He is the
only candidate speaking for the specific
policies and programs that will help real
people.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. The rest of the country is responding to superficial images.

DU is a nest of political junkies who get their information from sources very different from those of the typical uninvolved American.

[Anouka]

13. Please don't disparage average Americans like that.

Not having access to the net doesn't make a person 'uninvolved'.
Neither does not being a precinct captain or city council member or government employee. Underinformed, yes; but not uninvolved.

On the other hand, only visiting echo chambers doesn't make one 'involved' or 'informed'.

People are involved, in their own way. Because of the energy Obama and his volunteers and students are bringing to what was supposed to be a done-deal Clinton-Giuliani showdown, people are getting excited again. They're searching out that new information... be it online, or volunteering themselves, or sharing information at the beauty shop.

There's a happy medium. And this is all just my opinion.



Off topic: Is it true that in Australian, voting is mandatory?

[spag68]

14. Yes

[skepticscott]

3. What polls are you talking about?

Are these polls of just DUers? You make a big mistake if you assume that the general voting population is better educated and more politically aware than the average DUer. I would be shocked if the two groups had the same reaction to anything.

[Aussie leftie]

10. Various sources

I try to absorb as much information as possible when it comes to American politics. Unfortunately I'm a "political junkie". I agree totally with you when you suggest that the general voting population pretty much have their heads in the sand. I never overestimate the average voter. John Edwards appeals to my socialist side. I think I would rather see Obama serve an apprenticeship as vice president. Hillary did her dash when she supported Bush on the war in Iraq.

[babylonsister]

4. You live in AUS? What 'exactly' have you seen? Comments on a

message board? Have you bothered to research anyone if you're so concerned?

[Purveyor]

11. Well that is not very 'neighborly'. Little wonder the rest of the world consider us as rude

'assholes', eh?

I for one, find most of my revealing and relevent news from foreign news source but hesitate from posting them on this forum because few here can tolerate the 'other view'.

Tuck your little 'cocoon' in nice and tight tonight, them 'foreigners' just might be lurking about.

[Aussie leftie]

12. I have been following the careers of Edwards, Clinton and Obama for quite a while

The Australian media gives American politics quite a good coverage. I must confess though that I do avoid the Murdoch press. I am involved in politics here by being secretary of my local branch of the Labor Party. I have read Clinton's biography and I do have a certain amount of admiration for her. Obama doesn't seem to have been around politics long enough yet for my liking.

[skipos]

5. DU doesn't come close to representing average Democrats.

The fact that Kucinich used to dominate the primary polls around here should tell you that.

[Double T]

6. I agree with YOU! The Obamarama love-fest from Iowa is still in play.

All HAT and no cattle!!!

[Two Americas]

7. simple reason

The people here are better informed than the general public.

Conservative Dems will say that "DU doesn't reflect Democrats in general" and ascribe that to ideology. But it is not ideological. Were full and proper information getting to the public, the public would reflect DU.

[Ninga]

8. It's the Ned Lamont syndrome ..... only well supported by the net. And BTW, look what

happened to those folks in Connecticut who pulled the curtain closed in the voting booth, and voted for Lieberman.

The net is really is not very influential......

[Hangingon]

9. DU doesn't necessarily reflect the real world