Word: pollstering
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Above all they were expressing satisfaction with what has become a rarity in American politics: what seems to be a successful presidency, in terms of economic growth and national strength and pride, especially in contrast to the turbulent terms that preceded it. Said Edward Reilly, a Boston-based pollster who conducted national research for Mondale: "The status quo with Reagan was preferable to the risk of going back to Carter-Mondale. There was no compelling reason to leave Reagan." The very notion of having a President serve two terms might have proved significant to many voters...
Richard Wirthlin, the President's pollster, says that it is wrong to ascribe Reagan's support among younger voters solely to economic self-interest. According to Wirthlin, surveys show that foreign policy was an even more important issue to them. Although they expressed their concerns about the arms race, Reagan came out ahead in their minds as the candidate who could better deal with the Soviet Union...
...gender gap? Women chose Reagan over Mondale by 55% to 45%, while men went for the President by 64% to 36%. From the beginning, Mondale's weakest support was among white males. "The problem was leadership," says Edward Reilly, a Boston-based pollster who did extensive surveys for Mondale. "Mondale became the candidate who kowtowed to special interests. Men thought he was saying to them, 'I'm going to take something away from you, white males, and give it to someone else...
...they were better off today than they were four years ago; not surprisingly, 84% of those voters went for Reagan. Only 20% said they were worse off, and 85% of them voted for Mondale. "People see things around them are better, and they give Reagan credit for it," says Pollster Wirthlin...
...count on any group's automatic allegiance any more. A candidate with national appeal can win an election without catering to the interests of individual voting blocs. "Reagan does not have to target a set of issues for blue-collar workers, a program for Hispanics or women," says Pollster Wirthlin. "He appeals to all Americans." -By Evan Thomas. Reported by Joseph N. Boyce/Atlanta and John E. Yang/ Washington, with other bureaus