Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 | 2 a.m.
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Here is something to consider for Election Day. There may be a fundamental and compelling change that has not been discussed in the political theater. The elephant in the room is the dinosaur in the room.
Political predictions rely heavily on time-tested “polling” that costs millions of dollars and is conducted by highly respected, mature research organizations; therein lies the fatal flaw. While impressive in stature, historical polling will be forever changed Tuesday. Not only is social media uncontrollable and unpredictable, it is without the foundation needed for scientific predictions. Additionally, this often-anonymous world of code names and fictitious identities fuels the pool of what media refer to as the “undecideds.” When one lacks accountability and need not offer a real identity, undecideds become important, advancing egos and self worth. The combination of these factors may prove polling as the dinosaur it has been for some time. Perhaps we just didn’t notice the sea change even when it was right in front of us.
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