Mike Pouraryan
The Elections in Colombia & Implications For the US
It appears that former Defense Minister Santos will be the next President of Colombia. Under his watch, the FARC was marginalized and many of its' top leaders were either killed or captured. It was during his tenure as Defense Minister that Ingrid Betancur was also rescued. There is going to be a runoff, though.
The Uribe Adminstration has been, by many measures, a success. Although I continue to be concerned about the wide divide between the rich and the poor, there is one lesson that I found especially poignant that the United States has to consider. In Colombia, exit polls are illegal. The reports I monitored noted how the largest TV station had conducted exit polls, but was prevented from reporting it. Furthermore, I am seeing analysis that the pollsters in Colombia just go it wrong in a major way.
Polling is an Art. I realize that. I never forget the exit polls doneby Zogby giving the elections to John Kerry back in 2004. We know what happened to that election. I hope, at least, that there is some sort of self-control done by US Media on projections/etc. It seems to me that the people should be given the right to vote so that their votes count. Maybe I'm too naive to expect this in light of the fact that Polling is big business in America and big money is involved.
The Uribe Adminstration has been, by many measures, a success. Although I continue to be concerned about the wide divide between the rich and the poor, there is one lesson that I found especially poignant that the United States has to consider. In Colombia, exit polls are illegal. The reports I monitored noted how the largest TV station had conducted exit polls, but was prevented from reporting it. Furthermore, I am seeing analysis that the pollsters in Colombia just go it wrong in a major way.
Polling is an Art. I realize that. I never forget the exit polls doneby Zogby giving the elections to John Kerry back in 2004. We know what happened to that election. I hope, at least, that there is some sort of self-control done by US Media on projections/etc. It seems to me that the people should be given the right to vote so that their votes count. Maybe I'm too naive to expect this in light of the fact that Polling is big business in America and big money is involved.
