US and the World

Huige polloing differences explained

The New York Times > Washington > Campaign 2004 > Varying Polls Reflect Volatility, Experts Say

This is one of the few stories I've seen that takes on the huge differences revealed in recent polls - some show Bush with a commanding lead and some show the race a dead heat.
Bottom line - this situation changes day-by dau with the news. Take this comment:

David W. Moore, senior editor of the Gallup Poll, said he believed that even slight differences in the time periods when the surveys were conducted could shift the results, given the intense news media coverage of the issue of Mr. Bush's time in the National Guard and whether disputed memos regarding his service there were forged.

"That issue is so key to the character of the two candidates,'' Mr. Moore said.