The Numbers

A Run at the Latest Data from ABC's Poobah of Polling, Gary Langer

Gary Langer is director of polling at ABC News, where he's covered the beat of public opinion for nearly 20 years - conducting and analyzing ABC News polls, evaluating data from other sources and setting the news division's standards for poll reporting. Langer is a two-time Emmy award winner, both for ABC's reporting of public opinion polls in Iraq.

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39 States, 68 Contests, 79,281 Interviews

June 04, 2008 3:32 PM

I filed a piece yesterday summarizing what we’ve learned from the exit polls across this primary season – a blueprint to the presumptive nominees’ strengths and weaknesses as they square off for the general election. We’ve now added the data that have informed these judgments – spreadsheets summarizing the results we’ve covered from state to state and in aggregate across primaries all year. See them here.

These exit polls have illuminated and helped us understand the 2008 primaries in an irreplaceable way – reaching beyond the spinmeisters, pundits and drumbeat of conventional wisdom to hear the views and measure the preferences of voters themselves, in valid, reliable representative samples. The polls represent a gargantuan data-collection effort – 79,281 interviews in all, conducted in 68 contests in 39 states, encompassing all the Democratic state primaries, the contested Republican primaries and the Iowa and Nevada caucuses.

Reporters, analysts, strategists, political scientists and historians will be picking over these data, not just in the weeks and months ahead but for years to come. There are many stories to be told and lessons to be drawn from the 2008 primary elections, and the exit polls are a terrific place to start. It’s a privilege to have had first crack at them these last five months.

June 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (12)

User Comments

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It all boils down to OBAMA CANNOT WIN.

Posted by: A | Jun 4, 2008 3:55:44 PM

A Agree obama can not win. Senator CLINON SHOULD RUN iNDEPENDENT.

Posted by: Libre | Jun 4, 2008 4:16:17 PM

Wow!...I just scrolled down the page and looked at each headline and Clinton name was everywhere.
Obama is in for the fight of his life....she just got stronger the longer she stayed in this thing, and I'm so glad she did!
McCAIN '08/HILLARY '12

Posted by: Debra | Jun 4, 2008 4:20:12 PM

The only way Obama will get ahead is if every doper, coke head, and idiotic kid gets involved in this election and goes to vote on Nov. 3....they won't....he won't win. This race will now be down to ageism....we kicked sexism out, they can't go near racism.....so hello OLD VS. YOUNG.
GIVE ME McCAIN ANYDAY FOR THIS JOB...IT'S THE HIGHEST, MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN OUR COUNTRY!!!!!!

Posted by: Debra | Jun 4, 2008 4:44:47 PM

Those pesky little things called facts just keep getting in the way.

Thank you for your honesty Steve.

Posted by: LA in Indiana | Jun 4, 2008 4:46:28 PM

Let's all get behind McCain, Hillary supporters...the Reps certainly have a better nominating process...winner take all....Hillary would have been the nom. if she could have run as a Rep.
GO McCAIN!!!

Posted by: Debra | Jun 4, 2008 5:44:03 PM

its funny how you would cut off your nose to spite your face. do you like
the fact that the country is going to
Hell in a hand basket and you would rather vote for john mccain when you
know darn well its going to be more
of the same selling this country down
the drain.if you cant see that then
you are hopeless your children and
your family will pay dearly because
you dont know whats going on in your own country,wake up,or sleep on,its over
for you anyway!!

Posted by: james jones | Jun 4, 2008 6:39:57 PM

hatred is a sad sad disease it eat away at
your body and consume your soul, and the
only cure for such a awful cancerous
condition is Love, your whole Life will
change when you start Loving all mankind
and all God's creation.Debra take a deep
breath and allow your spirit to contact
the inner peace that God have given us
all,and you will find restful peace
for your soul, God bless you!!

Posted by: james jones | Jun 4, 2008 7:02:24 PM

I'm hearing a lot of fear in Republican voices these days...or is that panic? Not only will Obama win, but the GOP is set to loose most congressional races across the country this fall, so Obama will most likely become president with a filibuster-proof, 2/3rds majority in Congress. Karl Rove's attempt to install a permanent Republican majority will most likely result in the reverse.

And just think of the progress the Democrats can make. Guns made illegal--PERIOD. Health care for all (not health insurance, Health CARE)--PERIOD. The restoration of women's rights, civil rights, Habeas Corpus and our status as a world leader.
The end of our illegal occupation of the sovereign nation of Iraq. The closing of Guantanamo Bay Prison. REAL progress on global warming.

All of the above will restore our position in the world and give American's hope and promise for generations. The GOP will not simply be defeated in the fall; it will be trampled in the dust.

Posted by: Dave in NYC | Jun 6, 2008 7:35:19 AM

Has everyone forgotten the balance of power. Democratic congress, McCain for president. He's the only one left qualified and is capable of working with the Dems.

Posted by: tired in NY | Jun 6, 2008 1:43:58 PM

The 57 states of Obama are the 57 states of Islam?

Does Barack Obama want to be the president of the 57 states of Islam?

In the confines of a friendly audience in Oregon Mr. Obama strayed form his prepared speech:
"It is wonderful to be back in Oregon," Obama said. "Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it."

The Times' conscientious Robin Abcarian thought she heard something different there. She checked her tape recorder. It had captured what he had actually said -- 57 states now.

Posted by: Al from NJ | Jun 9, 2008 3:09:38 PM

I haven't heard either candidate talk about the 18-25 year olds that still live at home and can't afford to move out on their own, nor can parents claim them as dependents.

In the meantime, we get piled with college debt (where there is no cap on raising tuition), college graduates who can't find jobs, and kids paying car payments, car insurance and gas, leaving them very little to contribute to the family.

It's been a losing battle for mid-income Americans. People should think carefully before voting and listen to the what the candidates say. For all the people who chanted "four more years", we can't afford another four years if McCain thinks like Bush.

Posted by: Shirley Nenno | Jun 12, 2008 11:22:25 AM

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