WGGB-TV runs a poll every day on a subject related to the news. They are unscientific polls because the people who participate are self selected. However they are not completely unenlightening, since people participate who may never otherwise be contacted by a pollster and there is also software in place to prevent people from voting more than once from the same computer. Lately they have been running polls on local mayoral races, with some interesting results. For example, here's the totals for their poll on the Springfield mayoral race between incumbent Dom Sarno and challenger Bud Williams.
Williams - 20%
Other - 31%
Not exactly encouraging news for City Councilor Williams. What is interesting is that a third of the voters appear to wish that they had a third alternative, suggesting that many people would prefer someone to vote for other than the two actually running.
A similar poll was held this week for the hotly contested mayoral race in Northampton. However the results suggest that a landslide defeat is in store for incumbent M. Clare Higgins.
Bardsley - 59%
Other - 14%
Although the Channel 40 polls do provide good fuel for speculation, ultimately the only poll that matters is on Election Day. Personally, I never forgave Channel 40 for cancelling the Admiral and Swabby Show.
Obama Still Falling
Meanwhile the national polls have nothing but more bad news for President Barack Obama, with a dramatic drop in his approval ratings according to the prestigious Gallup Poll:
PRINCETON, NJ -- In Gallup Daily tracking that spans Barack Obama's third quarter in office (July 20 through Oct. 19), the president averaged a 53% job approval rating. That is down sharply from his prior quarterly averages, which were both above 60%.
In fact, the 9-point drop in the most recent quarter is the largest Gallup has ever measured for an elected president between the second and third quarters of his term, dating back to 1953.
More generally, Obama's 9-point slide between quarters ranks as one of the steepest for a president at any point in his first year in office. The highest is Truman's 19-point drop between his third and fourth quarters, followed by a 15-point drop for Gerald Ford between his first and second quarters. The largest for an elected president in his first year is Bill Clinton's 11-point slide between his first and second quarters.
The Future Predicted
Cool Local Advertisements
A corny but cute ad for Northampton's Turn It Up.
Here's a better one, featuring a Rod Stewart album I used to own as well as someone I was in detox with.
Hamp Hike
I got to the bus stop today just as the bus to Amherst was pulling away! Oh well, all that did was give me a half hour to take a little walk down the street. Camera in hand, I headed towards Smith College.
There I saw this clever definition of Smith.
As well as these sidewalk guilt monsters.
Heading into the heart of town, I checked out the newly painted mural on Kirkland Avenue, othewise universally known as "the ally behind Thornes."
Turtle-like beings now climb the fire escape.
A psychedelic owl looks down upon all.
Less professional scrawlings adorn the opposite wall, the better to go with the sewer motif.
This is the kind of sign you only see in New England.
A parking meter expresses a preference.
Finally the next bus arrives, and I snap this pic out the window as we cross the mighty Connecticut.
Today's Video
Another lost masterpiece resurfaces:
Paul Kantner : Guitar, vocals,
Grace Slick : Piano, vocals
Jack Casady : Bass
Jerry Garcia : Lead Guitar
Bill Kreutzmann: Drums
David Crosby : Guitar,vocals
Graham Nash : Vocals
No light shines on the fangs neglected.
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