As a longtime reader (UID 1200)I have some concerns about this polling mess.
I appreciate how Markos has followed the path we as progressives expect of our media of full disclosure and transparency of process. I also understand that in a lawsuit, commenting too much (or even at all) beyond a certain point is detrimental to the case.
But as someone who references front-page Daily Kos stories (and polls) among friends, I have some additional questions. So below, I will list some questions that have come to mind.
If the Washington Post or Wall Street Journal fired their pollster of many years, I think we would ask for both what Kos has already done (full disclosure) and then the next step: let us know how this happened within the parameters allowed by the legal issues.
Some questions for Markos:
You have been an exemplary guardian of the dollars spent by advertisers and subscribers of the site. With no obligation to do so, you have "spread the wealth" and mentored new bloggers, hired editors, used the money for polling (the irony), etc. Will the money for the lawsuit, if it is unsuccessful, be coming out of separate funds, or will it impact site operations?
What was the editorial process for creating individual polling questions, especially complex, non-horserace polls (like the infamous Republican stereotypes poll). Your questions appear no more or less scientifically designed or misleading than any other poll out there, but did you write these at your kitchen table, or receive input from the DailyKos braintrust/fellow editors?
Did you do any fact-finding with regard to R2Ks operations: have you been to their offices? Have you seen their phone banks? Have you seen their computers/software (that are now apparently broken and housed at a Kinkos?)
When reputable fellow bloggers like Jerome Armstrong questioned past polls, you seemed to shrug it off. Were you naïve or were you willing to accept the irregularities because the polls were telling you what you wanted to hear?
Was there a sense that R2K was feeding polling results as a way to drive business? i.e. if I show a tie in Mass. I will get Kos to order 2 more polls before election day. If I show Scott up 8, he'll order none?
And now, as Don Henley says, the heart of the matter:
The rightwing smear is that you knew it all along, that you and R2K were cooking the polls together, and as that was about to be exposed, you have initiated the lawsuit to cover your tracks and obfuscate the entire thing. As a long-time reader (since the beginning) I trust you, Kos, to not have done that. It doesn’t seem within your character. I know you said you’d take the heat from the right for this mistake, but that probably is something you need to answer.
My hope and expectation is that you will use this case and lawsuit to expose the poll racket and force all media outlets to at least do what DKos modeled, release poll internals.