N.C. Its margin of error was plus or minus 1.8 percent in the primaries, and in its November tracking poll it had a smaller margin of error at plus or minus 1.6 percent. Rasmussen predicted that Bush would win the election with 49 percent of the vote to Gore s 40 percent, well off the mark. Obviously, the popular vote for the presidential election turned out to be quite a bit closer than we expected, said the Rasmussen team in a statement. It conducts polls differently from the other major firms. Instead of hiring large numbers of human operators to staff the phones, Rasmussen uses an automated telephone system.
Participants hear a recorded voice that provides instructions about how to answer.
Zogby disagrees with this methodology because it does not allow surveyors to verify participants responses. While Rasmussen missed the mark, say insiders, his numbers were more accurate than the exit polls conducted by the networks. And, as Insight goes to press, critics are saying that next time maybe the TV boys and girls should hire the professionals. James Harder contributed to this article. Click here for reprint information.