Nerd, there's no need to be a meanyboots. What I said about seeing it on TV once was meant to be humorous.

I actually work with statistics in my job for the purposes of grant reports. I have Statistics for Dummies on my desk. I have actually read it. I'm not an expert in numbers, but I am not completely ignorant either. The one thing I am certain of is that statistics are easy to manipulate. I think everyone knows that.

I can only speak for myself, but I use the expression "pretty" or "pretty much" out of politeness, to avoid seeming like a total bitch. Obviously, that is unnecessary. So I'll say it bluntly:

Polls are crap. Everyone knows it. People who actually allow themselves to be influenced by the opinion of a total stranger, especially regarding a matter as important as electing a President, have their heads firmly up their asses. I do not trust polls on general principle, and "usually accurate" exit polls are no exception.

I voted early and did not rely on any poll of public opinion to help me make my decision. I visited the websites of both Bush and Kerry, and the Libertarian party, and carefully read each candidate's platform. I watched the news. I paid attention to what they were saying, and what they didn't say. I got information. Only then did I make a decision about who I wanted to vote for. Polls were not a factor.

Now then - early voting. How possible is it that the number of people who voted early across the US might have skewed the exit polls, considering they wouldn't have been included?