From the Right · Read · October 21, 2026
Oct 21 · Wedgewood Polls admits it fabricated election polls; aggregators pull its data
The Washington Times: Another fake poll favoring Democrats provokes midterm election outrage
Grade F (34/100). Wedgewood admits fabricated polls, calls it an experiment; FCC's Carr warns broadcasters; NYT and Silver drop its polls
Lehrer score 34/100 (−24 own-voice claim/analysis: it’s not the first time this election cycle that phony data has been used to boost Democrats in key races; −18 omission: Wedgewood published several widely circulated polls, mostly on Senate races.; −12 loaded wording: their shady methods were uncovered; −12 loaded wording: the Wedgewood farce). Fixed scale: 90+ A, 80s B, 70s C, 60s D, under 60 F → F.
it’s not the first time this election cycle that phony data has been used to boost Democrats in key races; Wedgewood published several widely circulated polls, mostly on Senate races.; their shady methods were uncovered; the Wedgewood farce
Agrees: Social-experiment claim; FiftyPlusOne investigation; Carr warning
Splits: Adds McLaughlin 'suppression polls', Sabato, NYT removed 15 polls, Media Strategies precedent
- Broken. Rule: Lehrer #1: Do nothing I cannot defend (own-voice claim) (it’s not the first time this election cycle that phony data has been used to boost Democrats in key races)
- Broken. Rule: Lehrer #5: Include the other side (secondary omission) (Wedgewood published several widely circulated polls, mostly on Senate races.)
- Broken. Rule: Lehrer #2: Assume the viewer is as smart and caring as I am (no loaded words) (their shady methods were uncovered)
- Broken. Rule: Lehrer #2: Assume the viewer is as smart and caring as I am (no loaded words) (the Wedgewood farce)