Seeing polls through Green-tinted glasses

Another day, another poll, and another press release from Mark Green's campaign claiming it's good news.

If it showed Green ahead by 4 per cent, the release would say Green was leading Doyle. Because the poll shows Jim Doyle ahead by 4, the Green campaign calls it a dead heat.

The latest poll, by Rasmussen Reports, is suspect. Does anyone believe that Mark Green has 83% statewide name recognition? No point in ever going on television. Amazing what those press releases will get you. That, of course, is utter nonsense. Other polls show half the people in the state don't know who Green is.

The fact that the race is close is actually not news at all. Several polls have shown a close race for governor, and that's what everyone -- even non-pollsters like yours truly -- has been predicting for months.

Green's press office is working overtime these days, although these polls are pretty meaningless. But one in awhile the Greensters take the day off.

For example, when a recent poll had good news for Doyle, showing his ratings raising sharply, the GOP spin machine was silent.

Speaking of Rasmussen, the post below is relevant.