#24: How is polling like a crying baby?

“Hard to forget a crying baby—whether you’re in a Maine diner, on a podcast, or if he’s standing next to you on the debate stage. This week, polling is as much the story as the GOP debate itself. New polls paint an evolving picture for both Republicans and Democrats…”

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How Is Polling Like a Crying Baby? Episode #24 Recap

Hard to forget a crying baby—whether you’re in a Maine diner, on a podcast, or standing next to one on the debate stage. This week, polling itself becomes the story as we dive into the numbers shaping the GOP debate and beyond.

When Polling Is the Story: The GOP Debate

Kristen: “The GOP debate is dominating the news, and polling leading up to it has been critical. Pre-debate polls from WSJ/NBC, Fox News, and Bloomberg show Trump dominating the headlines, while CBS adds further weight to his bump.”

Margie: “But it’s not just about Trump’s lead. The debate eligibility criteria itself have put polling in the spotlight in a way that’s making many pollsters uncomfortable.”

And the Democrats?

Margie: “While the GOP debate has stolen the show, new Democratic polling paints a narrowing race. Clinton is losing ground among white women, as WSJ and WMUR’s Granite State Poll indicate. The Democratic primary isn’t generating as much heat, but the trends are there.”

Top Pollster Takes the Boy Scout Oath

Kristen: “Lee Miringoff from Marist joined us this week to discuss their decision to suspend polling for the GOP debate. Politico and McClatchy reported on Marist’s choice to avoid contributing to debate eligibility criteria, and Miringoff shared 10 reasons polls shouldn’t determine who gets a podium.”

Margie: “It’s a bold move. Pollsters themselves are starting to push back against how polling is being used—not just to reflect public opinion but to shape campaign narratives.”

Key Findings

Polling is as much the story as the debate itself, raising questions about its role this early in the campaign.
The Democratic primary shows narrowing gaps, with Clinton losing ground among key demographics.
Marist’s decision to suspend pre-debate polling highlights ethical concerns in the industry.
Polls are driving campaign news, and if this trend continues, we’re in for a long and complex campaign season.