Why do pollsters include Nader...?

[WI_DEM]

I wonder if pollsters will continue to include Nader in their nationwide surveys? Now that he is denied the Green nomination and access on ballots in 22 states he only is on ballot, thanks to the dying Reform Party, in (I think) 12 states--and will have to fight hard in the next few months to get on ballot in 38 other states. To me, at this point it would make more sense to include David Cobb in their surveys since he is the Green nominee and already on ballot in more states than Nader.

[LittleApple81]

1. Good question. n/t

[spooky3]

3. yep

[gulliver]

9. Sure is. Seeing Nader reported in the polls helps Nader.

It skews the polls. It's the best possible kind of free advertising for Nader. The media is doing the country a disservice.

They are conflating the idea of newsworthiness and "poll-worthiness." If they are just going to include candidates based on their controversy or notoriety, they should just say right at the top of the poll: "We included Nader because he sells papers."

[Mike L]

11. exactly right. Hopefully, this will end with his rejection by the Greens.

If not, it must end when he can't get on the ballots of most states as an Independent candidate. He won't be a national candidate, so he can't be included in national polls. However, you can bet that the Republican commissioned polls will continue to include him (which will invalidate their polls).

[bugslsu9]

2. Can Someone Tell Me

How many ballots Nader is actually on? I heard he is having a hard time getting on the ballot in Oregon, and, quite frankly, if he can't get on there, he has problems.

[Mountainman]

4. I makes Bush's numbers look better IMHO

They can say that the race is tied with Bush's 45% to Kerry's 44% and Nader's 5%. Later they say in a two way match it is Kerry at 49% and Bush at 46%. But the head line usually says Bush is leading or the race is a toss up and Kerry can't get any traction even though Bush is having trouble.

[LoZoccolo]

5. Nader spoiled in two states, and came close in three more.

http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2000/2000presge.htm

spoiled:
Florida
New Hampshire

came close:
Iowa
New Mexico
Wisconsin

6. Why not?

:)

[West Coast Democrat]

7. Why not include the Libertarian candidate in the polls too?

That's what I always wonder.

[bitchkitty]

8. I think it's probably because

the Libertarian candidate is an actual candidate; that is, he's not running to take votes away from anyone, he's running to win votes and get his point across. Not so Mr. Nader.

I'm so glad the Greens dumped Nader. If I ever change my registration, it will be to Green!

Edit: sorry, clicked too soon. The powers that be don't want the Libertarians getting an actual voice - they siphon votes from the right and help the Democrats, and God knows we can't have that! </sarcasm>

At least that's my take on it.

[liberalpragmatist]

10. I wouldn't mind IF...

IF the pollsters included Cobb, the Libertarian candidate, the Constitution Party candidate and maybe a couple others. THEN let's see what the results turn out to be. I'd bet they'd all have surprisingly high support. And it would show that very few of them, Nader included, are likely to get anywhere close to their polling numbers right now.

[Mike L]

12. Yeah, include the Constitution Party candidate.

Take some right-wing fundamentalists away from Bush.