‘They Are Scared’: Journalists, Pollsters Discuss Presidential Elections at HKS Forum

Journalists and political experts analyzed the latest polling and reporting ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election at a Monday night panel hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School New England Alumni Association and Harvard Law School Association of Massachusetts.

At the event, panelists spoke about widespread fear across the American political spectrum. Brian P. Stelter, the chief media analyst for CNN Worldwide and moderator of Monday’s panel, opened by acknowledging the anxious fervor in the audience.

“I think we’re taking out our anxiety in the best way, by getting together,” he said.

James Pindell, a political reporter for the Boston Globe, cited a fear of the “other side” that results in an “us versus them” mentality pertinent in American voters.

“I am struck by the fact that there is unanimity among the American people on this election, and the unanimity is they are scared,” Pindell said.

Kimberly A. Stohr, a columnist for the Boston Globe, said voting is no longer up to morality, principles, and ethos.

“People have retreated to their own silos, to the point that now it’s tribalism first,” she added.

Lisa G. Desjardins — a correspondent for PBS News Hour attending the panel via Zoom from Georgia — said she saw this tribalism firsthand, covering recent and “unexpected” developments in the swing state.

Desjardins said she found among Trump supporters in Savannah, Ga., there is a “growing anti-Harris vote” instead of active support of the presidential candidate.

David Paleologos presented the results of polls he conducted as director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center.

“It’s still a one point race,” Paleologos said.

Throughout the event, panelists questioned the credibility and efficacy of various polls in reflecting the political landscape.

“How do we trust that the polling is telling us what it’s saying it’s telling us, how do we trust the polls?” Stohr asked.

Paleologos answered that both the ratings and track records of pollsters should be considered when taking into account the results of a poll.

The panelists also discussed how the media reports on election night, warning voters to prepare for an election that could run to Friday. Stohr criticized traditional approaches to election coverage, describing them as overly focused on the election as a “ball game” rather than a broader view of the election’s practical implications.

“This is the problem with covering the campaign like a ball game,” Stohr said, “We should be talking about what kind of country we want.”

“It’s not the odds — it’s the stakes,” Stohr added.

Pindell predicted Trump declaring victory on election night no matter the outcome. He added that results will likely be faster than 2020 due to lessons learned last election and fewer undecided voters going to the polls.

In preparation for election night, he left attendees with a piece of advice.

“Eventually, go to bed. That’s my message to America. Have popcorn, enjoy it, and then at your regular bedtime, go to bed,” Pindell said.