NBC’s Shuster on Exit Polls

Exit Polls Legacy blog posts

We learn more in drips and drabs.  This from NBC’s David Shuster via Chris Matthew’s "Hardblogger" (hat tip: RottenDemark): 

The fact is, a lot of people over the last month have blown opportunities to tamp down the internet wildfire and restore some confidence in the outcome of the 2004 election.  The exit polling organization (that received $10 million from the networks, by the way) should have come out weeks ago and explained why their exit polls were inaccurate?  I accept the group’s quiet explanations that their workers, in some states, were improperly trained and that the mathematical models analysts relied upon throughout the day were problematic.  But the consortium should should swallow their pride, hold a full blown press conference, and help douse the fire that is raging [emphasis added].

No argument here.   I’ll have more to say on the training issue in the next day or two.  Stay tuned..

Mark Blumenthal

Mark Blumenthal is political pollster with deep and varied experience across survey research, campaigns, and media. The original "Mystery Pollster" and co-creator of Pollster.com, he explains complex concepts to a multitude of audiences and how data informs politics and decision-making. A researcher and consultant who crafts effective questions and identifies innovative solutions to deliver results. An award winning political journalist who brings insights and crafts compelling narratives from chaotic data.