Voter Vibes and Polling Trends: 2024 Election Insights with Dr. Chris Borick

Buckle up for another riveting episode. Host Ira S Wolfe along with co-hosts Mat Van Alstyne, and John Aidan Byrne plunge into the 2024 Election with Muhlenberg College pollster and political scientist Dr. Chris Borick. Listen as the conversation weaves an intricate dance between Main Street and Wall Street, revealing insights ahead of the 2024 election. Here are just some of the compelling lessons You’ll take away:

1. Favorability Isn't Everything Chris Borick pointed out that likability polls don't always translate to votes. It’s fascinating how perception versus reality plays out at the voting booth.

2. House and Senate Races Matter More Than You Think John Aidan Byrne broke down how slim majorities and competitive districts like the 7th in Pennsylvania could tip the scales significantly in the coming elections.

3. Polling Puzzles and Innacuracies The crew dissected how 2016 and 2020's shocking results threw pollsters into a frenzy, sparking innovations like a blend of cold calling and online surveys to get closer to the mark.

4. Poll Accuracy Efforts Improving polling methods was a hot topic, with Borick explaining the balancing act to correct past errors without overcompensating.

5. Voter Perceptions and Demographic Divides Political preferences are distinctly split by educational attainment. Voters with 4-year degrees often swing differently than those without, a critical insight for campaign strategies.

6. Early Voting Complications The slow counting of mail-in ballots can create early election night uncertainty, particularly in battlegrounds like Pennsylvania, adding suspense and complexity to the race.

7. Strategic Figures Josh Shapiro's prominent role and enviable approval ratings make him a political player to watch, especially given his nuanced appeal in a deeply divided state.

8. Polls as Snapshots, Not Predictions :Chris Borick wisely cautions us that polls should be snapshots of the current landscape rather than definitive predictions, keeping the suspense alive in the lead-up to Election Day.

Fun Fact from the Episode:

Chris Borick humorously noted, "Polling discrepancies are like rebellious teenagers – often unpredictable but certainly noticeable!"

Mat Van Alstyne: Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Odeon Capital Group, a leading full service boutique broker dealer to institutional clients. Many of you know Mat from his commentary and outlook on the highly rated Odeon Capital Conversations Podcast,

John Aidan Byrne: Veteran Wall Street business journalist, editor, filmmaker, and successful podcast host of Odeon Capital Conversations and Dig Life Deep! John/s newest ventures are two movie projects, one on the legendary life of a Wall Street CEO and scholar and the other on Norman Rockwell.  

Special Guest: Christopher Borick, professor of political science and director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO), is a nationally recognized public opinion researcher who has conducted more than 300 large-scale public opinion surveys over the past two decades. He founded MCIPO, which measures the public’s views on electoral and public policy issues with a concentration on environmental and health matters.  According to Nate Silver’s 538 polling, Muhlenberg College is ranked near the top with an A+ ruling.