The recent presidential polling news showing Sen. John McCain ahead of Sen. Barack Obama by 4 percentage points won’t last, according to Darren Davis, a University of Notre Dame political scientist and nationally recognized expert in public opinion, elections and voting behavior.
“John McCain’s seeming rise in the polls following the convention is to be expected, but such a bounce (3-6 percent increase) in the polls is usually artificial,” said Davis, who specializes in political psychology, political behavior, public opinion, research methods and racial politics.
“Once the focused media attention from the Republican National Conventionsubsides and other issues and candidates compete for media coverage, polls will readjust.
“Obama may have had a bounce but it was displaced by the hurricane and the (GOP) convention. So if one supports Obama, there is no cause for alarm, and if one supports McCain, there is no cause for celebration.”
Media advisory: Professor Davis’ comments may be used in whole or in part. He can be reached for further comment at 574-485-8766 (cell), or ddavis7@nd.edu .
Originally published by at newsinfo.nd.edu on September 09, 2008.