cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/45237868

“He’s doing a good job,” Trump saidabout the Israeli leader. “Biden is trying to hold him back, just so you understand, Biden is more superior to the VP. He’s trying to hold him back, and he probably should be doing the opposite, actually. I’m glad that Netanyahu decided to do what he had to do, but it’s moving along pretty good.”

  • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.worldOP
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    2 months ago

    Because the media has a profit incentive to portray it as such. The closer it is, the more people watch their coverage and the more money they can charge advertisers.

    Which is bad enough in itself, but them portraying it as close and the lies of fascists as valid arguments worthy of consideration MAKES it closer than it would otherwise be, in a classic case of the tail wagging the dog.

    Bottom line is that, even with the sensationalist media helping them be more competitive, they would lose every major election in 40-45 states if not for massive voter suppression.

    They do NOT have the support of half of the population, or even half of that. They’re viable in spite of 80% of the population not supporting them because the system is broken in their favor.

    • atzanteol@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Utter bullshit. The polling companies are often separate from the media companies. Some are even academic institutions. And they are incentivised to be accurate. Imagine being the one polling organisation that can call elections!

      What y’all are misunderstanding, however, is the difference between poll numbers and probability of winning. Harris definitely polls better but due to the electoral college the probability that she wins in lower than poll numbers suggests.

      • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.worldOP
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        2 months ago

        Utter bullshit

        Thanks for the summation of your reply. Headlines are usually bolded and in bigger type than the body text, though…

        The polling companies are often separate from the media companies. Some are even academic institutions

        And there sre hundreds if not thousands from which to choose. The media choose the ones that best fit the narrative they’ve already written.

        And they are incentivised to be accurate

        Nope. They are incentivized to deliver the results that their customers want, regardless of accuracy.

        Imagine being the one polling organisation that can call elections!

        Even if doing so consistently was possible (which it isn’t), that wouldn’t be the most profitable thing to do. See above on incentive.

        What y’all are misunderstanding, however, is the difference between poll numbers and probability of winning

        Nope, I understand full well the difference between the popular vote, which is what’s polled, and the electoral vote which is a big part of the aforementioned system being broken in favor of the American Fascist Party AKA the GOP.

          • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.worldOP
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            2 months ago

            What a garbage response

            This you?

            “There is a profit motive, checkmate” is all you’ve said.

            You either have the reading comprehension of a toddler or the capacity to argue in good faith of Ben Shapiro. Either way, I’m done indulging you. Have the day you deserve.