Episode 17

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Published on:

27th Aug 2024

17: Do Something

In this post-nominating conventions episode, I reflect on lessons learned as we approach the last 60 days before the election. Some key themes include:

  • How not to be a crosstab truther
  • Why elections aren't really that much like markets
  • How forecasts predict the past
  • Why campaigns don't need one single message to win the whole thing
  • And what you should do with your energy and effort if you're not using forecasts to earn a living.


Tune in to gain a nuanced understanding of polling, forecasting, and political marketing as we head towards the election.

There are 69 days to the 2024 election.


Recommended Reading:

"Mad Poll Disease Redux: Harris-Walz Edition" Weekend Reading by Mike Podhorzer


Your Host 

Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.

 

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About the Podcast

Cross Tabs
People • Data • Power
Our world is governed by numbers — surveys, polling, algorithms, and data.

On Cross Tabs, we bring you the stories behind these numbers. This podcast is your introduction to the people, perspectives, and agendas that shape our reality, and call it “public opinion”.

We invite experts to discuss pressing issues and walk us through their methods. You’ll hear about the issues that matter from some of the brightest thinkers in policy and politics, tech and business.

Join us and you’ll learn about how polling works — or doesn’t work — and how research can be manipulated to advance a political agenda. Discover the history of topics in the news and hear insights on culture and society.

And learn what’s really at risk in the race to influence and optimize, well, everything.

The show is hosted by Farrah Bostic, founder of The Difference Engine, where she works as a qualitative researcher and strategist working outside The Beltway to understand what drives business leaders, experts, and people like you so we can all make better decisions.