When have national polls mattered in a Presidential election? Why do they even use them?

The election is by electoral votes. Therefore, the state polls are the only ones that matter.


If McCain is picking up votes in Utah [where he can't lose] or New York [where he can't win], it doesn't impact the electoral college.

As of yesterday, McCain is down by double digits in PA even though he's been living there for a week. He's down high single digits in Virgina, New Mexico and Colorado. Obama's even up in most of he polls in Ohio.


Bottomline: Obama wins the Kerry states, Iowa [in which he's killing] and Virginia and he's in. He can even lose Virginia if he picks up Colorado & New Mexico.