Fake

This article at 538, about a fake polling firm which has put Kid Rock comfortably ahead in his race, misses an obvious but important point. Yes, fake polls can help bring in dollars from donors (who don't like to back losers), but the problem goes deeper: Fake polls can add legitimacy to a fake election.

Most mainstream writers can't make that admission because most mainstream writers will not allow themselves to concede the possibility of vote-rigging. In our political culture, that idea remains the Great Unspeakable Thing -- despite this. And despite this. And despite this. And despite this.

A moment's thought will tell you that you can't nudge the voting results more than two or three degrees without preparing the way with fake polls. After the "surprise" win, right-wing media assets will decry the inadequacies of mainstream polling methodologies. Cue Nate Silver, doing an imitation of Goofy: "Garsh. Guess we musta done sumpin' wrong."