The March of Science

Time was when a politician, in forecasting victory, had to put his own opinion on the line--"We'll win by 2 1/2 to 1." But no longer: now all he has to do is hire a pollster, leak the results to the press (if they are favorable, which they had better be), and claim that political science itself is on his side.

Last week the New York Times solemnly reported on Page One the fact that an unnamed pollster (it was, in fact, Lou Harris, who has made a profitable career out of conducting polls for Democratic hopefuls) had just completed a survey indicating that New York City's Mayor Robert Wagner could beat Republican Nelson Rockefeller for Governor this year. The poll showed Wagner leading Rocky by 43% to 41%, with 16% undecided.

The Rockefeller camp seemed singularly unworried. After all, the Repubucans were having their own poll made, the results to be announced shortly. And no one should be surprised if the news is leaked that the survey shows Rocky ahead.

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