Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second poll (Gallup - pro-Romney) makes more sense to me but I'd like to see an analysis of why the wide swing between the two polls. Ah, I took a look at the Reuters poll which put Obama ahead. Two things:

1) They are using an interesting approach to sampling from the internet which they claim they have cleared with experts but it makes me uncomfortable - then again I'm not a sampling expert so what do I know?

2) The other thing I find odd is that their graphic identifies the opinions of "Veterans and their families" versus "Non-veterans." It sounds like they are including non-veterans married to veterans (or children or parents of veterans) in that group. If so, that might explain why there's such a big difference between the two polls. The Gallup poll is very clear that they only are only putting veterans in their veterans category.

But the Reuters people really need to clarify that "veterans and their families" item.

as someone who has some knowledge of internet polling, I think their sampling method is acceptable. BUT the second item is definitely of interest.

Anonymous wrote:My husband retired after 20 years in the US Army. He voted for Obama. I met my husband while I was also in the Army and I served 6 years. I also voted for Obama.
We are both veterans and will vote for him again.

I guess no one polled us or my other veteran friends who are Obama supporters.

Anonymous wrote:Veterans, as well as active duty military, know Obama has screwed them. DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ!

Anonymous wrote:The second poll (Gallup - pro-Romney) makes more sense to me but I'd like to see an analysis of why the wide swing between the two polls. Ah, I took a look at the Reuters poll which put Obama ahead. Two things:

1) They are using an interesting approach to sampling from the internet which they claim they have cleared with experts but it makes me uncomfortable - then again I'm not a sampling expert so what do I know?

2) The other thing I find odd is that their graphic identifies the opinions of "Veterans and their families" versus "Non-veterans." It sounds like they are including non-veterans married to veterans (or children or parents of veterans) in that group. If so, that might explain why there's such a big difference between the two polls. The Gallup poll is very clear that they only are only putting veterans in their veterans category.

But the Reuters people really need to clarify that "veterans and their families" item.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's the proclivity for many veterans and the military generally to tilt Republican. Some of this reflects cultural conservatism, some of it is the old saw that the GOP is the "daddy party" that is tough on US national security. I'm surprised by this margin, given that Obama is widely-seen as an effective commander in chief who is certainly willing to use military force. Moreover, he and the first lady have made military families a signature issue. Finally, Romney is a smart guy who says incredibly dumb stuff -- like Russia is our main adversary, that he will never cut the military budget (although two wars are winding down) and the glib comments on Iran.

Anonymous wrote:Interestingly enough, when I see reports about donations to candidates, the majority of cash from vets and active duty goes to Ron Paul

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's huge. I don't know whether it say more about Obama's foreign policy or about fears of what Romney would do in the Middle East.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47415035/ns/us_news/#.T7GGn464L18

Much of the Arab world is in complete chaos right now - WTF have you been?