When I see a poll, I always ask myself, what is the hidden message.
Poll taking is not an exact science but in any election cycle they convey more import thus leading to a self fulfilling message. A message each candidate perpetuates to enhance their position. The MSM amplifies the message and the cycle is repeated.
Take a look at the results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #13267.
Eve of Democratic Primary, Obama Well-Positioned for South Carolina Win:
18 Hours until polls open in South Carolina, Barack Obama is poised to defeat Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, according to SurveyUSA's 7th and final tracking poll, conducted exclusively for WCSC-TV Charleston and WSPA-TV Greenville.
After increasingly divisive campaigning, the contest ends:
Obama 43%, Clinton 30%, Edwards 24%.
Obama gets 3 of 4 black votes.
Edwards and Clinton between them split 3 of 4 white votes.
In the Midlands, Obama leads by 25; Upstate and in the Low Country,he leads by 5.
When you look at the Poll Data closely you will see that the percentage of "White" Voters in SC are breaking: Clinton 38%,Edwards 38%,Obama 21%.
For the past 48hrs, I've heard how Obama is loosing the "White" Vote from stories like these:
White voters desert Obama as race divide starts to bite
How Clinton Will Win the Nomination by Losing S.C.
Losing the White Vote
Now see this tablefrom the SurevyUSA showing what support each candidate had for the past few months in SC:
11/13 12/10 12/19 01/07 01/18 01/24 01/25
Clinton 55% 51% 46% 38% 50% 37% 38%
Edwards 17% 23% 32% 28% 26% 34% 38%
Obama 15% 19% 18% 29% 22% 24% 21%
Sen Clinton lost most white votes -14 in this survey from 1/7 - 1/25. Sen Obama is -8.
These results are post Iowa(1/3) and pre New Hampshire(1/8) & Nevada(1/19)
I know I picked one survey here but I bet the trend is the same for the rest of major polls.
What do you think folks?