Are some people afraid to admit they'll be voting for Kerry when polled?

[Walt Starr]

Think about it. The pollster has your phone number, so that means they probably have access to your name and your address.

Could some Republicans actually be afraid of answering any other way to the pollster than "Bush"? Is it possible they do not want it becoming public knowledge that they broke ranks and went with the Democrat because they know the chimp for what he is? Are they afraid of potential repercussions if they admit to planning on voting for Kerry should the chimp actually pull it off?

Just a thought on this pre-election Wednesday.

We're down to the wire, get out the vote.

[endnote]

1. Sad, but possible... Mussolini era reminiscence...

[enough]

2. I think this is not just possible, but very likely. (nt)

[highplainsdem]

9. I agree.

[0007]

16. After listening to some of the dumb fucks in this country, I'd say

anything is possible. junior has definitely intimidated a certain percentage of idiots

[mopinko]

3. maybe

i do think about that stuff when i get a call of some sort. i think about it for about 2 second, then tell the truth. but that's me, i am too stupid to lie, usually. but i do know that a lot of people are very comfortable with telling whatever lies are called for in whatever situation.

[Morning Dew]

4. I'd encourage the 4 remaining decent people

who claim Republican affiliation to go with what they know is right and vote for JK.

[Blue_Roses]

5. I want to know who these people are that they are polling

good grief, have they been living in a cave for the last 4 years...geeze...

[ps1074]

6. There might be some people affraid to admit

I read a story on Kos today about a poster's parents that are die hard republicans.

He (the Kos poster) recently talk to his/her mother and she said "Don't tell your father but I am voting for Kerry". A week later the father said "Don't tell your mother but I am voting for Kerry"... These are republicans that have voted straight party ticket all their lives.

Now imagine they are polled... Do you think they will say "I am votng for Kerry" when they are affraid to admit to eachother that they had enough with Bush?

[wishlist]

7. My husband, Kerry voter tells pollsters :"None of your damn business"

Unless he knows the pollsters are legit from Dems, he won't tell them anything and is rude!

[fugop]

15. My dad, too

My dad in Houston got called by the GOP, I think as a reminder to vote. The pollster three times asked my dad, after he said he'd already voted, "So you voted for President Bush?"

Three times my dad replied simply, "I voted."

Finally the pollster gave up and hung up.

My dad, by the way, voted for Kerry. So did my mom.

[canuckybee]

8. Yes, I know some personally

They got in the habit of denying they had abandoned Bush when it was considered "unpatriotic" to be for anyone but Bush. To this day, if polled, they would claim they were voting republican, while privately they are furious with themselves for ever voting for him in 2000.

edited to add that they have government jobs.

[rullery]

10. Yes, I think there are many Republicans who will vote for Kerry.

We see many thoughtful conservatives who would normally be voting for the Republican ticket, but who are disgusted with Bush. Many conservative newspapers are reluctantly endorsing Kerry this time.
Some of these folks find it difficult to admit publicly, even to pollsters, but in the privacy of the voting booth they will vote for Kerry. The November surprise may be a landslide victory for Kerry.

[On the Road]

11. Even if It's One Out of a Hundred People,

that's a 2% swing in the polls.

I don't think anyone's who'se planning to vote for Bush is saying Kerry to a pollster.

[Dob Bole]

12. Another possibility: People who say Bush when they are polled,

but will really be voting Badnarik or the Constitution Party guy. Those candidates aren't included in polls, but I know a lot of conservatives who will go that route.

[troublemaker]

13. I'm convinced Bush has a 2-4 point paranoia cushion in his approval

[seabeyond]

14. they only group would be the programmed

the white, christian that are being told to feel guilt with vote by their "father", or the person worried about financial repercussion, oh or the ego that likes what a republican is,.....betrayal and a yuk for them

interesting question

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

17. If they have republican friends and family around

at the time they were called, they might have felt pressure to answer Bush in an effort to avoid debates/arguments.

[demokatgurrl]

18. I find this very hard to believe, unless they are polled in the

presence of someone they are trying to deceive. Maybe you don't tell your boss or friend what you did in the voting booth, but why would you be afraid to tell a total stranger taking a poll?

If we have gotten to the point where people are afraid of THAT, can Stalinism be far behind?

[kostya]

21. If someone calls me and asks for me by name, then I know

they have both items of information and probably a lot more. I'd be naturally reluctant to be open with them, because 1. they know where to find me, and 2. they are total strangers. I'm not saying they would do anything in this situation, but it would be my natural instinct kicking in.

Now, the converse question: How many Dems say they are voting for Bush just to mess with the polls? :)

[Jane Austin]

19. Don't pollsters call at dinner time?

If they do, people are answering within earshot of their families or guests.

I think there are people, especially wives, who will go along to get along all through the campaign, but when they step into the voting booth, will vote for Kerry.

[Sara Beverley]

20. Absolutely! And they are smart to do so.

With this bunch, how do you really know you are speaking to a pollster.

[nostamj]

22. I suspect (and hope) that many, in the privacy of the voting booth

will consider where the country has gone under * and will vote Kerry.

they may never admit it but... I do believe it will be happening.