#26: With friends like these, who needs pollsters?

“Welcome new subscribers! You came just in time for silly season! Dive into Biden’s potential rise, Trump’s effect on the GOP, and what friendship means during National Friendship Week…”

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With Friends Like These, Who Needs Pollsters? Episode #26 Recap

Welcome, new subscribers! You’ve joined just in time for the silly season of politics. Let’s dive into the latest from the 2016 race, starting with some drama from both the Democrats and the GOP.

2016 (Democratic Edition): Good News for Biden?

Kristen: “Joe Biden may finally be getting some good news. Polls from Gallup and Quinnipiac suggest that Biden’s favorability is holding strong, even as Clinton’s email controversies linger. The Monmouth and Fox News polls show how these email stories are impacting the public’s perception of Clinton.”

Margie: “Right, but it’s unclear whether these stories are driving the current climate or just reflecting it. The numbers suggest Democrats are starting to explore their options.”

2016 (GOP Edition): The Trump Effect

Margie: “Trump is still the headline, but his potential to damage the GOP brand is becoming clearer. As Carly Fiorina rises and Scott Walker sinks, other candidates are grappling with whether to adopt Trump-like positions on immigration.”

Kristen: “Gallup and NBC/WSJ polls show how immigration and other Republican stalwarts like labor unions and Planned Parenthood are shaping the GOP primary. And let’s not forget the absurdity of the season—like ‘Deez Nuts’ polling surprisingly well in PPP’s poll.”

Welcome to CrazyTown!

Kristen: “It’s officially summer silly season. Feuds, fake candidates, and headline-grabbing antics dominate the news. Trump’s feud with pollsters, claiming they make $200K a month, and Luntz vs. Stone vs. Trump in Politico make for entertaining headlines.”

Margie: “It’s all part of what makes this race so unpredictable. But hey, for $200K a month, we’ll gladly help any candidate figure it out—and even split it!”

Friendship and National Friendship Week

Margie: “In honor of National Friendship Week, let’s talk about the Skout survey on what friends will do for each other. Kristen, how many of these things would we actually do for each other?”

Kristen: “Let’s see—helping with waxing? Maybe. Catsitting? Definitely. Twitter fights? Absolutely.”

Key Findings

On the Democratic side, Biden may be gaining ground as Clinton faces continued scrutiny over emails.
In the GOP race, Trump’s vulnerabilities could push other candidates to avoid following him off the issue cliff.
Summer silly season is in full swing, with feuds, fake candidates, and headline-worthy polling quirks.
Friendship in DC means waxing, cats, and iTunes reviews—but we’ll also split big retainers if needed!