Time for an update, although not a lot has changed.
Sunday, April 21, 2024
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part XIV
Thursday, April 4, 2024
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part XIII
Once again it has been a couple of weeks, and there were some changes to the forecast. Biden appears to be gaining ground in Pennsylvania, although I think it would still fall into Trump's column. However, the state is within the margin of error.
There has been quite a bit of hoopla over a poll that had Biden with 42% to 40% lead over Trump. That poll was released on 3-31 from Franklin Marshall College Polls. It should be noted the previous Franklin Marshall College Poll, released on 1-31, had Biden with a much larger margin at 42% to 37%. In other words, Trump has narrowed the lead, yet somehow the Biden camp is claiming some kind of victory.
Not sure what the hoopla is about.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part XII
It's been a couple of weeks, since the last review. Not a lot has changed, but there were some minor adjustments.
The republican edge in Arizona, narrowed a bit (-0.2%), but still in the slight range beyond the margin of error.
The republican edge in Pennsylvania, increased a bit (+0.8), which moved it from the Toss Up category back to slight, with it being just above the margin of error.
Saturday, March 2, 2024
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part XI
I said I would not post another election article, unless there were changes. I guess I lied.
Sunday, February 18, 2024
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part X
The polls have altered the landscape, ever so slightly. While there have been several polls, none really changed much, except for Nevada, back on January 11.
Thursday, January 11, 2024
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part IX
I previously posted that unless the EVs changed, I would attempt to avoid posting. They have changed.
The main change was Pennsylvania easing a bit from the (R) candidate. Simply put... the polls indicate a slight edge to DEM, but historically has under-reported REP votes in general elections, by 3%. Even with that latter adjustment, the result falls into the margin of error.
Friday, January 5, 2024
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part VIII
Texas seems to be in the toss-up column, although not sure why. This is somewhat due to the tendency of polls to slightly understate the democrat votes. Still, the state falls into republican territory quite comfortably. Now it is R-189 and D-203.
Florida is next up and the polls for the state, tend to slightly overstate the democrat support, while understating the republican support. Thus Florida with its 30 EVs moves the needle to R-219 and D-203.
Virginia (13) keeps getting into the toss-up category. It puzzles me as to why, as it will very likely vote the democrat candidate and has a stellar polling v result score, imo. Thus R-219 and D-216.
I will lump Arizona (11) and Georgia (16) together, as they both have been consistently correct in polling matching outcomes. Polls seem to indicate a fairly strong republican tendency, which translates to R-246 and D-216.
Might as well get Wisconsin (10) out of the way. Of all the states with polling discrepancies, compared to results... Wisconsin is very high on the list, with a 6.5 variance, which tends to favor republicans. Polling greatly underestimates republican support and overestimates democrat support, when compared to general election results. Having stated that, the narrow polling margin, which is slightly in favor of Trump, indicates R-256 and D-216.
That leaves 66 electoral votes to decide the election.
I haven't even gotten to North Carolina (16), which appears almost certain to fall into the R column. Now it is R-272 and D-216.
Now for Michigan (15) and Pennsylvania (19). Two states, which closely follow Wisconsin in under-reporting republican support and overstating democrat support. That both states are indicating a republican advantage, before looking at previous polling errors, it seems appropriate to throw them into the repubican slot. R-306 and D-216.
Nevada you say. Nevada (6) is currently leaning R, but previous history, indicates under-reporting democrat support. Still a slight edge for R, but very slight. Now it is R-306, D-216, and T-6.
Then there is the curious case of Minnesota (10), which has historically been polled with Rs being underestimated, and Ds being overestimated, compared to general election. That polling is currently very narrow, which could possibly be a problem for Dems.
R-306, D-216, and T-16.
There is a lot of time left to change things. Of course, there is always time to change things... until time runs out.
I will resist the temptation to post frequently, but if those EVs change, then I might jump in.
Friday, December 22, 2023
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part VII
Onward I go into the endless fun of politics.
As stated previously, yes the polls are wrong, but in what way? Oddly, the polls that were wrong, were consistently wrong in both 2016 and 2020.
As can be noted, Arizona and Virgina were downright accurate. Georgia, New York and Washington near perfect, each with a very slight variance benefitting one party.
Some states had very poor polls to results variance. This could be attributable to a few factors...
- Why would a democrat waste time on voting for a democrat candidate, in a heavily republican state?
- Why would a republican waste time on voting for a republican candidate, in a heavily democrat state?
- Why would a democrat waste time on voting for a democrat candidate, when victory is assured?
- Why would a republican waste time on voting for a republican candidate, when victory is assured?
- Perhaps the polling does not reflect the results, due to individuals hiding their true opinions, due to fear.
Wisconsin was a clear Clinton victory, until it wasn't. Wisconsin was an even more clear Biden victory, but it was downright scary close.
That same scenario played out in Pennsylvania and to some extent Michigan.
Naturally, some states are already decided, in my opinion. It is the so called battleground states that are intriquing.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part VI
Here we go...
Trump currently holds a 44.9% to 42.7% lead in the polls. Of course the polls are always wrong, even though Biden led from the start in 2020, although the start was in spring of that year... so a bit to go.
Thursday, December 7, 2023
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part V
Here is another stab at the 2024 election. Trump appears to be ahead with polling numbers of 44.1%. compared to Biden's 43.3%. Very tight indeed, until polling of individual states relative to electoral votes is considered.
Took a hard look at the virtual locks, in regards to electoral votes, which resulted with Biden having 212 electoral votes locked up, and Trump with 149.
When I say "locked up", I am referring to places like California, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, etc. It should be obvious whether they are blue or red. So stencil them in.
However, in 2024, there are some hard leans, as well.
Florida has Trump with a 9 point lead in the polls. Consider where the polls were in 2016 and 2020, the compare to results. That 9 point lead is significant.
Again, Georgia was not really that far out of whack in the 2016 and 2020 polls, so the polls for this year having Trump with a 7 point lead... is quite meaningful.
That trend continues with the other "hard leans" listed, which results in Trump holding a 251~216 lead at this point.
So Trump just needs 19 of 71 remaining EVs. The opposite of that... Biden needs 54 of the remaing EVs.
Turning it around might be possible for Biden.
However, Ukraine is still an issue on his watch, as well as that Middle East mess. Not seeing any upward lift being provided by those.
Economy, could be an issue, but not a lot of upward lift to be seen in this area. Sure, GDP was up 5.2% annualized, but don't forget a massive adjustment was just undertaken, by moving the numbers from 2012 dollars... to 2017 dollars. I alluded to this in a previous article.
On January 25, 2024, the BEA will likely report something in the 1.5%~2.0% annualized GDP growth. A lot of whining will take place about how the economy has gone from robust to anemic. Both are rather silly, but the resultant public opinion will not likely provide any huge boost for Biden.
That report will be followed about 3 weeks later, with the CPI report for January.
There is the inflation issue, of which will be largely cheered with both the November (DEC release) and December (JAN Release) data releases. Both of which will indicate a shallowing month to month rate of inflation.
However, both months will be a result of significantly lower gasoline prices, which is a seasonal norm. While making up a small percentage of consumer spending, the impact will be enough to bring month to month to zero and very likely negative.
Once again, that news turns south with that February release of January's CPI data. Why? Those falling gasoline prices will be in the rear view mirror, and will be rising... We are getting into the heart of political silly season by then.
Frankly, rising gas prices will bring out the grocery prices are much higher crowd. It may well be, but this is about the attitude of voters... which won't be uplifting for the Biden campaign. Voters tend to remember things from days past, when they look at the grocery receipts and those numbers on the gasoline pump.
So not a lot of upside going forward, imho... for a Biden rebound.
Remember, the perception needs to change for Biden to reverse his current dismal ratings.
Saturday, December 2, 2023
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part Four
Here I go again, delving into the rabbit hole of politics and polls.
The polls are wrong, as we all know.
In 2016, Clinton was leading Trump in Wisconsin by 5 points, yet lost the state.
In 2020, Biden turned it around and led by 9 points in the polls, yet barely won the state by 20,000 votes or 0.6%
Granted Clinton only had a 2 point lead in Michigan, ahead of the election and lost by a slim margin. Once Again, Biden turned it around by having a 9 point margin, before finishing 2.8% ahead.
In 2016 Clinton had a 2 point lead in Pennsylvania, before losing that state. Again Bided turned it around with a 5 point lead, and winning by a slim 1.2%. A win is a win.
Florida was a deadlock and then the election of 2016 had Trump up by a slim 0.8%. Biden had a 3 point lead in Florida for 2020, yet Trump won by 3.3%.
Again in 2020, Biden had a 1 point lead in Texas, and it was widely assumed Texas was turning blue, except Trump won by 5.5%. It was tighter than 2016, so maybe turning blue, but not just yet.
Of course some states matched the poll numbers, such as Georgia. Almost nailed it in 2016 and 2020.
Arizona was near that match for both years, as was Nevada and some others.
I suppose there are many reasons, such as 3rd party candidates, undecided voters, no shows, etc.
So having gone down the rabbit hole of reviewing the 2016 AND 2020 polls by state... I have come up with my own darn formula.
Biden needs to swing 27 Evs back from these. Any two will do, So along with Arizona, Minnesota and Nevada... 2 more.
Saturday, November 25, 2023
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part Three
In part two, I did a quick peak at current polls, based on just D v R.
Part 3 adds independents, etc., into the mix, although impact is just D and R...
Friday, November 24, 2023
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part Two
A quick update on my latest review of polls and the presidential election.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
A Foray into the 2024 Presidential Election, Part One
I can't resist the notion of commenting on the 2024 Presidential election.
First off, I fully expect democrats to vote democrat and republicans to voter republican... regardless of the candidates nominated.
The independents seem to matter most... in these elections.
One thing that might be overlooked, is that polls the past two presidential elections were off. Everyone knows that, but the oddity... the polls seem to overstate the democrat candidate and understate the republican candidate.
You can check, but this is across all states, as well as nationally.
Here is a sampling from 2020...
A bit of history...
In 2016, the election was up for grabs in so called battleground states.
Monday, February 27, 2023
Insanity is Bi-partisan!
Not that long ago, the 25th Amendment became a big story among democrats (Nancy Pelosi), as they sought a way to remove Trump from office. After January 6th, republicans joined in. Apparently, Pence was considered a better option.
However, it never took root and likely would not have been implemented. A simple read of the relevant section, would seem to indicate why it would have been unlikely. Majority of cabinet... twice, 2/3 of house and senate. It would have been easier to impeach, imho.
Sunday, November 20, 2022
I Voted, But My Rationale Was Probably Different Than Yours
I have long considered the likelihood of media manipulation of the 2016 election. I don't think there was vote fraud, or at least to the extent to alter the election results for 2016 or 2020. I should explain myself.
I was somewhat puzzled in early 2016, when the center left of the mainstream media, really amped up the noise around a Trump campaign. Afterall, it was a "joke" campaign. However, that "joke" campaign started to erode the legitimacy of more convention Republican candidates, which would be of benefit to those same center left media companies, specifically those... well left of center organizations.
This managed to propel Trump into the republican nomination, which was certain to end in defeat to Clinton. They were so certain of a Clinton victory, it was deemed necessary to show some "balance" by promoting news, that was harmful to Clinton. This was all okay, as Clinton could not conceivably lose.
Yep, there were some shocked people in those newsrooms. It was important to rectify their mistakes by immediately pointing fingers at everyone else. That continued through the 2020 campaign, and finally Trump was ousted. Not by much, as a few thousand votes in certain states could have given Trump victory, just like a swing of a few thousand votes in 2016, would have given Clinton victory.
It is very clear that Trump was a drag on what should have been a victory dance in 2022, for the republicans. The democrats need Trump running loose, to be able to win in 2024. If you cannot see this trap, then you are blind. Basically, Trump needs to sit down and hush, for the republicans to have a shot in 2024.
The democrats need Trump to be front and center, for them to feel good about 2024. That's why I voted to keep Trump banned on twitter.
Every time Trump tweets, the lamestream media will pounce on it, rebroadcast it, make political hay of it... just to keep Trump in the minds of voters, even ones that are trying to forget him.
Then there is the curious case of Biden. Democrats do not need Biden in 2024. That he was the best the democrats could do in 2020, is a testament to their horrid track record of developing worthwhile candidates. Lest we forget... the republicans gave us Trump. We have to be nearing rock bottom for choices to be between Biden and Trump.
It is time to turn it over to younger people of both parties. Let's start with... say less than 75!!!😎
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Political Prognosticating
It is important to stir the pot, as well as smoke it. Although I suspect a lot of pot has already been smoked.
Never the less, it is time for me to review the current state of the 2024 presidential election and to properly undertake that assignment, I must review a bit of history.
Throughout my lifetime, there were always those that were strictly far right or far left. A lot of us were caught in the middle. Generally speaking, we decided the election on which candidate was least objectionable. Somehow that seemed to change, going into the 2016 election. Granted, you might say it was earlier, but never was there such a hue and cry as after the 2016 election. Even the 2000 election was somewhat settled amicably. At the most, it was not long for those protesting to fall back into the shadows. If you say 2008 and the tea party, it hasn't really had an impact... other than to taint future republican candidates, and a renewed distaste for a certain democrat.
2016 was as much about not electing Clinton, as anything else. Trump won by 304-227-7 over Clinton. If Clinton had gotten 44,285 more votes in Pennsylvania, it would have been 284-247-7 for Trump. AND if Clinton had gotten 10,705 more votes in Michigan, it would have been 267-263-4 for Trump. AND if Clinton had gotten 22,749 more in votes in Wisconsin, it would have been 273-257-4 for Clinton. A total of 77,739. Granted Clinton had more popular votes, but the elections are decided by electoral votes. If 38,870 voters in those 3 states had voted the opposite... the results would have been different.
So 2020 was about not re-electing Trump. Biden won 306-232. If Trump had gotten 10,458 more votes in Arizona, it would have been 295-243 in favor of Biden. AND if Trump had gotten 11,780 more votes in Georgia, it would have been 279-259, still in favor of Biden. And if 20,683 more votes in Wisconsin had voted in favor of Trump... We would have deadlocked at 269-269. Which would have ended up in Congress, which would likely have resulted in Trump being re-elected, due to the structure of the Constitution surrounding such a matter. If 21,438 voters in those 3 states had voted opposite, the result would have been different.
So forget about the 7M popular vote difference in 2020 or the near 3M popular vote difference in 2016. It really only takes a small swing in critical areas to make a YUGE difference, imo.
Therefore 2024 will hinge on such small swings. There seems to be a lot of glee from the right about the "troubles" of Biden, which in turn means they think he can be beat in 2024 by any Republican. Therefore it would seem almost certain that Trump would take another whack at the Presidency.
However, I don't think Biden will even attempt to run for re-election in 2024. Harris might give a try, but will fail miserably. That in itself would seem to sabotage the Trump candidacy. If anybody could beat Biden or Harris, then what would be the point of risking a repeat of 2020... when anybody would be better than Trump.
Been there and done that.
Review of March 2024 data, 1Q GDP, PCE and personal income
The monthly summary is not so wonderful, incomparison... Inside all that pink is some troubling food related issues. Even though energy is s...
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As you know by now , it was ugly for consumer's future prospects of inflation. Yes, a lot of this will get passed on to us. It is a se...
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This week's full report . Indicators have aligned to suggest upward movement in consumption. Pump prices have generally stabilized, bu...
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The BLS has released the March, 2024 Producer Price Index Report . ( historical releases ) The Producer Price Index for final demand rose...