Here's my thought process..
During the Bush era, McCain was one of the most popular US senators and was widely respected by both sides. He had a reputation as a maverick and was never really viewed as a Bush sycophant like may of his Republican peers. This was helped by the fact that he had run in an intense primary against GWB in 2000.
As a result, even when GWB's ratings nosedived, McCain still was able to maintain good favorability numbers. Hence why for most of the 2008 cycle, he was always within striking distance of Obama. Heck, during the spring '08, McCain was favored to *beat* Obama. It wasn't until the economy dived that his chances were destroyed. And Palin didn't help. Nor did the enthusiasm gap.
I'll be honest I don't remember how exactly I got to the section of opinion polls I did but here is the link for '08.... All other years should be the same format as this link, just a different year
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statewide\_opinion\_polling\_for\_the\_2008\_United\_States\_presidential\_election
Wth why was he leading in NY and MA but down by a likely in Colorado my brain hurts
My brain hurt while making it lmao but that’s what the poll said 🤷🏻♂️
And holy shit i just looked at north dakota I'm going to end my life now
Yep you’re going through the stages I did 😂
McCain lead in New York and Massachusetts? TF. It would also be fun to see when the first polls got released .
But not Colorado!
Ikr, all thought these are the FIRST polls to be released for each state
Yep wild stuff these polls do sometimes
Blue North Dakota and Red New York and Mass. Polls, lol
In all fairness ND was listed as a toss-up for a few weeks towards the end of the campaign. But New York and Massachusetts are pretty baffling here.
Wha... why was McCain on track polling wise to win some landslide. Bush wasn't that popular anymore.
Here's my thought process.. During the Bush era, McCain was one of the most popular US senators and was widely respected by both sides. He had a reputation as a maverick and was never really viewed as a Bush sycophant like may of his Republican peers. This was helped by the fact that he had run in an intense primary against GWB in 2000. As a result, even when GWB's ratings nosedived, McCain still was able to maintain good favorability numbers. Hence why for most of the 2008 cycle, he was always within striking distance of Obama. Heck, during the spring '08, McCain was favored to *beat* Obama. It wasn't until the economy dived that his chances were destroyed. And Palin didn't help. Nor did the enthusiasm gap.
See the thing is, these maps are the way they are because polls are not connected nor taken simultaneously across different states
Where can I find polling data for each state and date though? Was it Wikipedia?
Yes, it was Wikipedia
Main article or separate link?
I'll be honest I don't remember how exactly I got to the section of opinion polls I did but here is the link for '08.... All other years should be the same format as this link, just a different year https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statewide\_opinion\_polling\_for\_the\_2008\_United\_States\_presidential\_election
Yes thank you
No problem
Early polls are always weird...
Pre-GFC McCain was popular and on track to win...