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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
29

Why People Lie About Having Voted for Obama

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(Newser) – A lot of people are lying about having voted for President Obama. A recent Wall Street Journal poll gives Obama a 50%-39% edge over John McCain—a big bump over his actual 7% victory. A New York Times survey shows Obama winning with a nearly 2-to-1 margin. That’s a remarkable number, but don’t get too excited; this always happens, Christopher Beam writes for Slate.

Lots of people who didn’t vote are loath to tell pollsters so, especially because they’ve usually just answered a bunch of other questions about politics. And they’re more likely to say they voted for the guy who won, especially if he’s doing well. If things go poorly? Well, let’s just say that in 2006 polls, more people said they voted for John Kerry than George Bush.

In this Nov. 4, 2008, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, cast their votes in Chicago.
In this Nov. 4, 2008, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, cast their votes in Chicago.   (AP Photo)
Lots of people lie to pollsters about their votes.
Lots of people lie to pollsters about their votes.   (Shutterstock)
A voter makes his selection at a voting booth at Grace United Methodist Church in Dallas, Nov. 4, 2008.
A voter makes his selection at a voting booth at Grace United Methodist Church in Dallas, Nov. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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29 comments
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doingtherightthing
Jun 19, 09 2:27 PM CDT
they're embarrassed! Reply
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Forderon
Jun 19, 09 2:33 PM CDT
Did you even read the article or just the headline like the typical Newser reader with ADD? It says people polled lied that they did vote for him in November, even if they didn't.
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+4
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Fondue
Jun 19, 09 5:19 PM CDT
Maybe the whole sentence rightthing meant to post was: they're embarrassed they didn't vote for Obama
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+4
paul123
Jun 19, 09 2:30 PM CDT
Hmmm, if I was GOING to lie about voting for him, maybe it would be to avoid a political debate, assuming I was in the room with a bunch of democrats or leftists. But I would never lie about not voting for him so I'm not seeing it. A friendly debate is good for the soul. Reply
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+5
jwilsonte
Jun 19, 09 2:45 PM CDT
I think its more like 5 to 1 for obama but than I may just be hoping we are that smart this country could not have that many stupid people to vote for mclown Reply
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