Polling wunderkind Nate Silver wrote his take for Newsweek.com on
what states you should be watching from 7 p.m. onward tonight. It was a schedule
that many out there appreciated; there were a fair share of
"Thanks" from readers, despite Silver's own political leanings.
"I know you prefer Obama to win, but I think your analysis has been
based on facts and the best knowledge and data you can gather," said
one reader. "You got me through the election," wrote another of FiveThirtyEight.com.
But despite these accolades, readers nationwide offered their own view from the ground. After Silver said that an early
Obama lead may discourage conservatives to the polls in California, one reader
responded: "What Mr. Silver doesn't realize is that most Prop 8
supporters will show up at the polls despite McCain's numbers in the early
returns, since most Republicans already know that McCain will lose
California." Expanding on the proposition related to gay marriage, the
commenter said, "This is such a polarizing issue that many formerly
apathetic conservatives will vote just to make sure that 8
passes!"
Indiana readers had similar criticisms, reporting from
their home state that pundits have it all wrong when handing the race to
Obama. "Its funny hearing all these pundits saying Indiana is in
play," wrote one reader. "They clearly don't know Indiana. The
deck is so stacked against the dems here that it is highly unlikely for Obama to
pull it off - the only real hope is for some down ticket coattails...The dems
really need to step up their game if they ever want any progress in this reddest
of red states."
With polls in that state set to close in mere
hours, perhaps that comment is just wishful thinking. But it comes at the helm
of others accusing NEWSWEEK of our own delusions. Because the article focused on
the route that would lead Obama to victory, one critic wrote: "This
article is yet another example of the media lovefest with Obama. Although the
polls are telling us change is around the corner, change is about all we'll have
left in our bank accounts." Another reader responded, adding somewhat
dramatically, that the piece was an attempt for McCain supporters to be
discouraged from voting, a liberal attempt to keep the polls streaming toward
Obama. "This race is a lot closer than people are being told by the
media," offered up that comment. "Since Saturday, the media has
been trying to discourage McCain voters from voting by showing polls and
headlines saying Obama is ahead by more than he is."
McCain
supporters like the ones above were also present on the message board in some
decidedly more acerbic ways. The comments section was overwhelmed by mentions
of Obama's race, assertions that he doesn't have a U.S. birth certificate, and
scores of socialism. As in, you know, "Obama is a socialist."
Others on the right side drew criticism for admitting: "Sorry, not ready
for a Black president." Strong words that had others fighting back
about a topic having little to do with Silver's predictions: "It is SAD
and unacceptable that Americans are racist today. Shame and disgust is what I
have for our nation. We are Americans [and] American does not mean white and
Christian. Those spewing racist crap as reasons for Barack not to be president
are victims of their unfortunate close-minded and uncultured
upbringing."
Them's fighting words. "The comments here
amaze me," said one reader. "I see racism, ignorance, left,
right, black, white, and everything else under the sun. [One reader's] comments
are ignorant and racist and [another's] response that he must be LDS are just as
sad." This point came up often, as people poured their passion into
McCain or Obama in ways that only could be read as angry. "Are people so
paranoid that they have to write terrible things about other people?"
asked one reader. "Whether you want someone to win the presidential
campaign or not is no reason to attack."
After a twenty-month
campaign, everyone obviously has had some time to build up strong beliefs. In
the end, Silver's piece will be a useful guide regardless of who you support.
And if you're sick of supporting either candidate, then I'll leave this comment
as your go-to take-away point. "Honestly, I don't care who wins anymore
as long as Americans live better." Happy watching. Let me know what you
think.
