Comments on: Parlor Political Index

By: Danny

Danny — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:08:30 +0000

Good observations, Mike. I started with the idea of using the Governor’s race, well… I guess because the Cook PVI (that prompted all this) used the Presidential race. When I wanted to work this out on the state level, I figured I would also use the top race in the executive branch (and explained above how that evolved a bit).

This may well continue to evolve… I have told some folks that I liken it to batting average in baseball in that it is one measure that is a useful tool but is not the end-all. It does have the benefit of being simple and easy to understand so that folks can decide for themselves how much validity they want to put on it. I hope some people will find it as interesting as I did…

Would be interesting to see something similar by Senate or House districts…

By: Mike Ball

Mike Ball — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:16:24 +0000

Good job, Danny; however, I think those high-profile races that you chose to index have many factors other than party affiliation, such as personality, and the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns (who can forget Folsom’s “I never played tennis at the Mountainbrook Country Club”? )

When I’m interested in gauging the political party leanings of a county or a precinct, I use one of the more obscure state wide races, non-incumbent, male vs male or female vs female, where neither are hometown folks. I think those races give the best indication because in the absence of other information about the candidates, party preference moves to the front as the voters deciding factor.

By: Introducing the Parlor Political Index — BaldwinReport

Introducing the Parlor Political Index — BaldwinReport — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:13:16 +0000

[...] Baldwin R+20 Introducing the Parlor Political Index [...]

By: Scott Ninesling

Scott Ninesling — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:02:43 +0000

Good job and very informative, thanks for putting in the work. The counties of the 2nd sure have an interesting total…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:42:59 +0000

pretty sophisticated for an “internet tabloid” – seriously thanks for the info

By: walt moffett

walt moffett — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:59:58 +0000

Yes, very good work.

By: blackdog

blackdog — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:06:42 +0000

Danny – absolutely wonderful information.