Opinion polls vs polling day - The British experience

[kimchi]

I'm not from The US, but I can't help noticing the huge internet following Ron Paul has and all the hatred thrown at Bush, but I suspect if there could be a vote between the 2, Bush would win.

The British Tory party were equally unpopular as Bush is now (for presidential system, read 'party' for 'president') leading up to the 1992 general election. Voters publicly claimed they would support Labour, but many of them actually sectretly voted Tory and hence there was a shock Tory victory.

People voting Tory were seen to be selfish and a little old-fashioned, whereas Labour voters were portrayed as 'the good guys' thus people publicly supported Labour, but would never admit to voting for the Tories either to friends, or to an opinion pollster, despite being their intention.

I think the same is true with the Ron Paul situation (and the Britsh press had a name for this which eludes me)