The West Wing

CNN/USA Today/Gallup

Description

CNN/USA Today/Gallup runs joint election polls that track voter preferences among likely voters. Bruno cites their survey showing Bartlet ahead of Ritchie 46-45, a tighter margin than prior results. Staff debate the poll's methodology—likely versus registered voters—highlighting its role in shaping campaign responses to narrowing races. The consortium delivers data that drives strategic decisions aboard Air Force One amid market shocks and media fallout.

Event Involvements

Events with structured involvement data

2 events
S4E1 · 20 Hours in America Part I
Confession at Cruise Altitude — Memory, Missteps and Market Shock

CNN/USA Today/Gallup provides a tighter poll cited by Bruno (a one-point margin) that complicates the reassurance narrative and introduces nuance to the team's assessment.

Active Representation

Quoted by Bruno as an outlier poll requiring explanation.

Power Dynamics

As a polling consortium, it holds persuasive power to tighten or loosen campaign urgency through its findings.

Institutional Impact

Its tighter numbers test the campaign's narrative, forcing staff to account for variance rather than rely solely on favorable polls.

Organizational Goals
Produce respected national polling. Influence political strategy through empirical snapshots.
Influence Mechanisms
Methodological framing (likely vs. registered voters). Wide dissemination and elite consumption of poll results.
S4E1 · 20 Hours in America Part I
Market Shock, First Lady Fallout, Descent to Andrews

CNN/USA Today/Gallup is cited as the outlier polling showing a tighter race; it acts as the immediate source of strategic concern that Bruno must explain away, influencing the team's threat assessment.

Active Representation

Via Bruno's recitation of the Gallup figure and Charlie/Bruno/CJ's discussion.

Power Dynamics

Holds sway by introducing a grimmer interpretation of the race, forcing the team into defensive calculations.

Institutional Impact

Its tighter numbers create a narrative wedge that increases the perceived urgency of the market and PR problems.

Organizational Goals
Provide real-time polling that can alter campaign strategy. Maintain reputation for rigorous sampling and analysis.
Influence Mechanisms
Polling methodology choice (likely vs registered voters) affecting results Widespread publication shaping public perception