Question: Why are "internal" polls considered so accurate compared to "regular" polls?

[Arugula Latte]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but why are candidates able to procure polling that is generally far more accurate than polls for public consumption? Why can't the regular polling firms use the same methodology as the "internal" polling people. Am I missing something? :shrug:

[CoffeeCat]

1. It is my understanding that...

"internals" are the campaign's own polling numbers.

These numbers are generated by polling names off of the voter rolls. Campaigns use
voter rolls (lists of people who voted in the last election) for many reasons.

They use those lists to call and invite people to events, and also to call and ask those
people if they want to be campaign volunteers.

When they do internal polling, chances are--the campaigns have spoken with the people
on those voter rolls before. They know who they are supporting, who their second choices
are--or if they're undecided or leaning but still undecided.

When polls are taken from voter rolls--they reveal highly accurate results--because your polling
sample is taken from very politically engaged people who have voted in the past. When Gallup
or Zogby call people--they're calling a random sample of people.

I hope that made sense...I'm tired. :)

[Arugula Latte]

3. Ahhh. That makes sense. I get it now.

Thank you! :hi:

[Forkboy]

2. Polls are pretty much a joke, regardless of who they favor.

It's a great way to manipulate people though, hence their popularity.

[NJSecularist]

4. Quite simply, internal polls use voter rolls

While public polls do not - they poll a random sample of people.

Using voter rolls, they can figure out what to expect in each county.

[CoffeeCat]

5. You eloquently and succinctly summed up...

...what I tried to say in a few thousands words! LOL.

I'm tired...and kinda rambling tonight.

Good job.

[NJSecularist]

6. You explained it better

:)

[my3boyz]

7. Put it this way...Kerry campaign emailed volunteers

right before the election to say that he was within a few pts of winning Virginia. It was considered too close to call for a short time period but Bush ended up winning by 13 pts! I don't think that is a few points.