With election day next Tuesday, three polls, conducted last weekend by CNN, Rasmussen Reports and Zogby International, all found Democratic candidate Jim Webb has a slight lead in his senatorial race against incumbent Republican George Allen. With Webb's lead in the polls ranging from 3.8 percent to five percent, most gave Webb a lead even taking into account the margin of error.
University Democrats President Katie Cristol described the recent polls as indicative of how the campaign is progressing.
"They accurately reflect the momentum he has going into the final days of the election," Cristol said.
Webb spokesperson Jessica Smith expressed a similar sentiment.
"Allen's latest campaign tactics have really backfired ... I think people are tired of George Allen and the way he's running his campaign," Smith said.
While politics Prof. Paul Freedman questioned the polls' usefulness as a predictor of the actual election results, he said the polls are "probably a decent representation of what's happening now."
Allen spokesperson Bill Bozin questioned the accuracy of the weekend polls, saying "they are skewed to Democrats."
Freedman said he felt polls were not always done to perfection. The weekend polls were conducted using a variety of methods, including automated phone polling, Internet and person-to-person.
"Not all polls are created equal," Freedman said.
Fritz Wenzel, director of communications of Zogby International, said his poll surveyed a random sample of Virginia residents which was checked to reflect the demographic information to make sure the poll respondents reflect the makeup of likely voters in Virginia."
Wenzel acknowledged that many doubt polling companies in general but pointed out that Zogby has been one of the most accurate pollsters in the past 20 years when comparing their predictions to election results.
"Anyone who doesn't like the poll results questions the methodology and anyone who likes the results praises the methodology," Wenzel said.
After questioning the weekend polls, Bozin pointed out that a Nov. 1 Roanoke College poll showed Allen had a three percent lead.
"The polls are all over the place," Bozin said.
While these polls show Webb as having a lead, Freedman said it is uncertain as to whether there is enough time before election day for a "Webb bandwagon to pick up speed."
Cristol said she felt a bandwagon might occur but not necessarily because of the polls.
"I think people will join the bandwagon because Jim Webb offers a real positive change in Washington," Cristol said.
Freedman downplayed the polls' effects and was not alone in saying these poll results do not disclose any new information.
College Republican Secretary Michael Gannon said, "It shows it's going to be a close election, which we've known for months."
Freedman said the race was still neck-and-neck.
"Webb shouldn't pop the champagne yet," Freedman said.
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