Presidential Polls and the News Media

Abstract

Introduction: news media's use of presidential polling in the 1990s - an introduction and overview, Paul J. Lavrakas and Michael W. Traugott. Part 1 Developments in media polling: election polling in historical perspective, Susan Herbst Page One use of presidential pre-election polls 1980-1992, P.J. Lavrakas and Sandra L. Bauman the use of focus groups to supplement campaign coverage, M.W. Traugott. Part 2 The methodology of media polls: how pollsters and reporters can do a better job informing the public - a challenge for Campaign '96, Warren J. Mitofsky a review of the 1992 VRS exit polls, W.J. Mitofsky and Murray Edelman methods of allocating undecided respondents to candidate choices in pre-election polls, Robert P. Daves and Sharon P. Warden. Part 3 Media polls in the 1992 election: the 1992 election and the polls - neither politics nor polling as usual, Richard Morin the evolving use of public-opinion polls by "The New York Times" - the experience in the 1992 presidential election, Michael R. Kagay problems of character - was it the candidate or the Press?, M.W. Traugott and Jennifer Means. Part 4 Public reactions to media polls: the people, the Press, and Campaign '92, Andrew Kohut and Larry Hugick media, momentum and money - horse-race spin in the 1988 Republican primaries, Diana C. Mutz. Conclusion: the media's use of election polls - a synthesis and recommendations for 1996 and beyond, P.J. Lavrakas and M.W. Traugott.