Are the polls lost racism?

September 15th, 2008 | Category: Florida Politics Blog

Of all the mysteries in that confounding presidential election, that may be the most meaningful question of all: How many voters will ultimately decide they can’t vote for an African-American?

"It’s definitely a factor," said Republican pollster Frank Luntz. "How do you count for it? It’s nearly impossible. But you have to assume you’re going to have about a two-point margin of error in nearly any poll considering of race."

With shut races in critical battlegrounds including Florida, Ohio, Colorado and Virginia, two points could produce the difference in who wins and loses the election. And whether Obama loses in November — with the Democrats having a strong political wind at their back — count on hand-wringing and speculation that America simply wasn’t ready to elect an African-American president.

More here.