Do any of these state pollsters

[nygrl224]

tend to tighten the polls at the end on purpose? Just wondering, because I have never been involved in an election before, and have no idea if the polls normally do that?

[...of J.Temperance]

1. I think probably yes

Because some of the undecideds will jump to one side or the other.

Then again, some of the undecideds might not even go and vote in the end.

[nygrl224]

2. that's what I think

will happen as well. I don't know why they are always harping on undecideds.

[...of J.Temperance]

3. The way I see it

I can't understand how anyone can still be undecided this late in the game and I agree that why the pollsters and pundits obsess about the undecideds I'll never know.

The rule of thumb has always been, that the undecideds usually break for the challenger about 2-1 on election day.

Senator Obama would be considered the challenger and McCain would be considered the incumbent because the Republicans have been in for eight years.

Of course, even if one were to give 100% of the undecideds to McCain, based on the current polls, McCain would still lose.

[Jackinbox]

4. It's an insurance policy.

For example if something happened and McCain pulled off an upset in some swing state...it looks a lot better if you had Obama only up 3 rather than 7. If Obama wins by 7 then no one will question them since Obama won.