Obfuscated Thoughtlessness Inversed

Back on October 13, 2004 shortly after the now infamous debate between Kerry and Bush wrapped up CNN held a poll with the following question: Who do you think won the debate?

This of course is a relatively innocuous question. Unless you plan on doing what CNN did that night. I don't know why, but I did catch them at it. Why you ask haven't I posted this on the web sooner? Well, I actually did, I posted it on Victoria Indymedia and Indymedia internationally at that time. I just felt like resurrecting this story for my blog. Particularly, since it didn't gain any particularly exposure at the time.

If you look closely at the pictures above, what you will see is two screen shots captured 2 minutes apart showing the results of the poll. In the top part of the image you will see Kerry is leading by 83% to 17%. In the bottom screen, taken, just two minutes later you can see Kerry is leading by just 56% to 44%. Now this isn't that amazing unless you consider:
a. that the poll had been open for more than half an hour at this point,
b. that in the first half an hour more than 20,000 votes were cast with a result favouring Kerry 83% to 17%, and
c. then in 2 minutes an additional 29,000 votes were suddenly "cast" favouring Bush 63% to 37%

Here's those numbers again for you in long hand:

	8:34 pm	8:36 pm	Diff.	Perc.
Bush	3449	21698	18249	63%
Kerry	16852	27498	10646	37%
	20425	49413	28988

I'll be the first to admit that CNN polls state right on them that they aren't scientific in nature and are unlikely to reflect anything about the viewers or the populace of the United States. However, I'd say this poll definitely showed something. It showed something about the political bent of CNN.

Labels: alternatives, anti-war, blogosphere, democracy, green isn't just a colour it's an imperative, leftist content creation, opinion, pro-choice