Did the 2012 RNC in Tampa generate enough buzz to improve Romney’s poll numbers? Photo Credit: Robert Neff
With polling stagnant thus far, the Romney camp was likely hoping last week’s GOP convention would propel the governor to a significant lead over President Obama.
Daily tracking data released by Gallup, however, suggest the convention did not have a positive impact on Romney’s polling, and similar data from Rasmussen indicates Romney is up slightly from tracking reports released just prior to the GOP convention.
Daily Tracking Poll Methodology
The Gallup daily tracking poll is based on 7-day averages of results compiled from registered voters. Respondents surveyed before the convention, from August 24 to August 27, favored Romney 47 percent to 46 percent.
The same survey averaged between August 31 and September 3, after the convention, had Obama leading 47 percent to 46 percent.
Both of these results were within the margin of error of +/-3 points. Samples consisted of just over 1800 registered voters, contacted at random via landline and cell phone.
The Rasmussen daily tracking poll is averaged over 3 days, and polls registered voters who describe themselves as likely to vote in the November presidential election.
Numbers released prior to the GOP convention had Obama with a 1 point lead. Current post-convention data has Romney leading by 3 points.
Rasmussen daily tracking polls have margins of error of +/-3 points.
Can Historic Convention Bounce Trends Predict the 2012
Modern political conventions don’t tend to affect opinions as much as they did in the past. Photo Credit: Robert Neff
Outcome?
Other recent presidential candidates who did not have post convention bounces recorded by Gallup were George McGovern and John Kerry. Both lost against the incumbent presidents they challenged. Not all past trends suggest disappointment for Romney, however. In 2008, John McCain had a substantial post-convention bounce of 6 points, edging Obama’s 4 point bounce, but Obama went on to win the presidency.
In general, convention bounces have become smaller and less significant over time, because the constant access to cable news and online media has led to fewer undecided voters prior to elections.
Are Tracking Polls Jumping the Gun?
Daily tracking polls are considered controversial by some polling experts because they rely upon short surveys delivered during a single day. Essentially, they are snapshots of public opinion. Although results are averaged over several days, they tend to differ from polls where the data is gathered over several days without being averaged. As more traditional polls are released in the days following the conventions, a trend may begin to emerge. Thus far, the only other poll released since the GOP convention was conducted by CNN from August 31 to September 3. The CNN poll found both candidates tied, with Romney gaining 1 point from his pre-convention numbers.
Interpreting the Poll Results
Both Gallup and Rasmussen daily tracking polls have been consistent in releasing results that are close, often within margins of error. Although undecided voters represent a small demographic, the Republican National Convention does not seem to have been the trigger that helped many change their minds. As the Democratic National Convention is underway this week, it remains to be seen whether that event will cause any polling changes.
Resources
Gallup. Romney Gets No Bounce from Last Week’s GOP Convention. Accessed September 5, 2012
Rasmussen Reports. Daily Presidential Tracking Poll. Accessed September 5, 2012.
Huh,
No problem with math here, the point was that, with a margin of error of +/-3, a 4 point increase in one poll is not a notably large bump. This point was driven home when I mentioned that John McCain’s 6 point bump was larger than Obama’s 4 point bump in 2008. I never wrote that 4 points was a large bump for Obama and not for Romney. This post also does not try to insist that Romney received no bump, as some other media outlets (that only cite the Gallup poll) are reporting. When you’re dealing with such a close race where the numbers are often within the margin of error, you really need to follow multiple polls. Right now all we are seeing is a close race in most polls. Sometimes Obama is up by a few points, sometimes Romney is. It’s more about which way the pendulum is swinging on the margin of error than either one of them having a commanding lead. The point of this post was that, so far, it doesn’t seem like the GOP convention changed the polls significantly.
Okay I know I’m not as intelligent as the MARISSA SELNER obviously is, but honey I suggest maybe you go back to first grade an learn some simple math…
Romney was trailing in the daily polling by 1 point prior to the convention and is now leading by 3 points after the convention. If I’m going to fast for you let me know. SO 3 – (-1) = 4. Got it, based on your numbers, which granted considering your math skills are questionable at best, Romney got a 4 point bounce after the convention. Which ironically is exactly the same bounce as Obama got after the his convention in 2008.
I have come to expect a strong left leaning bias in the media, but even as cynical as I am, I didn’t expect stupidity… Next time try reading the polling results before you write your article…
Romney is a rich pariah who simply can’t identify with ANY average American through his fog of lies and network of havened money. He’ll only continue to get booed out of the room by every group of minority and middle class voters he comes across. His religion and wealth is highly elitist and everyone in this country has had it with his kind. We’re telling Mitt he can’t buy this election!