The Voice of Merrill

Big Monday was huge for Kansas State.  They knocked off the number one team in the country, Texas in front of a sellout crowd at Bramlage Coliseum.  Vegas odds didn’t favor the Wildcats to lead the game nearly start to finish and to walk away with a nine point win.  AP voters had no doubt that Texas was the better team, and yet, the purple cats won.  No team shows up to lose.  That’s why they play. 

Many Republicans in America are becoming over confident of the results in the Massachusetts Senatorial Special Election.  Recent polling numbers show Scott Brown, a Republican, with a nine point lead over Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley going into today.  The news is something for the Republicans, and Americans who are tired of the railroading in the Senate to cheer about.  But, as Lee Corso has often been quoted as saying “Not so fast, my friend.”

Polls, can actually have a negative effect on the democratic process on the day of an election.  A pre-conceived perception of a guaranteed victory or loss may discourage voters from venturing out.  Why waste one’s time if the outcome is guaranteed.  Interestingly, the candidate with the most motivated base is more likely to benefit from this apathy.  In the case of Massachusetts, the most energized base is in Scott Brown’s corner. 

Polls and speculation regarding election winners aren’t even worth the paper they are printed on when Election Day comes around.  The only number that matters is the final tally.  If polls were flawless, there would be no reason to hold the election.  There would also be no reason for data to differ between polling organizations.  That’s why we go to the polls and play the game!

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