There seems to be a debate going on amongst activists here at dailykos concerning the watching of polls vs actively GOTV'ing. There seems to be a large contingent of people all over the country (including David Brooks, for example) that don't want people looking at polls, probably for widely varying reasons.
But as I recall, progressives are the people who can walk AND chew gum at the same time. It's part of what makes us more competent in things like governance.
So here's a proposal. Every time from now until election day, when you feel like slamming someone for watching polls, for whatever reason... just put it on the shelf. Or put it in your desk drawer and let it blow over. Let's everyone just be nice to our fellow liberals for the next few weeks and geterdone, ok?
As for me, I'm a poll junkie. I'm a data junkie. I believe in sifting through data to try to ascertain a realistic view of the world. And polls and poll aggregation sites can do that, with certain obvious caveats - if you know where to look and what to take seriously and how to sort nonsense from reality. Again, something progressives are good at.
I've looked at 538 several times today. I've also looked at TPM's aggregate several times. I've read many of the polling diaries on this site.
I also called 50 people for Obama for America today. If you'd like to give it a try at home, here's the sign up page. It's easy as pie to do and the people you call will probably be strong Obama supporters, so it's a pleasure.
All of us can do this. And we can do that.
Because we're progressives, and that's how we roll. With gum.
So let's all just be cool to one another for a few weeks, ok - and win this election!