LOU HARRIS…..POLLSTER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Another notable who made Key West his home has died. Lou Harris. He died saturday. Key West his retirement home more than 20 years. Harris was 95.

My recollections of Harris are vivid. He came into prominence as I was finishing law school. He was a pollster. Preferred to be called a political analyst. First of his kind. He went into homes to gain polling information. Used telephone interviews also. Other pollsters talked with the political powers in an area as opposed to the voters themselves.

His first client of prominence was John Kennedy. Harris’ data/information was of significant value to Kennedy in winning West Virginia and the Kennedy-Nixon debates.

Harris wrote a column syndicated in over 100 newspapers. Appeared on many TV news shows.

While living in Key West, Harris became a friend of the library. Each year, he gave a lecture on behalf of the Friends of the Key West Library. Always packed. I attended several times. His message always on point.

Peter Hart is a pollster who began his professional career working with Harris before going out on his own. He said over the weekend, “Lou was to political polling what Henry Ford was to the automobile industry.”

Lou Harris, rest in peace.

The best laid plans of mice and men…..

I remained in yesterday fine tuning and further preparing for last night’s podcast. I decided to spell out the history of Christmas. Would have absorbed half the show. Worth it. The topic most interesting, surprising and revealing.

I never got to do the show. When I went to sign in, I was told there would be no broadcasting for 24 hours. A new problem to me. Once, I failed to pay timely and was turned off. I was paid up this time, however. Three listeners called and asked where is the voice? Only my picture appeared.

Sloan’s headache. Sent here an email. Her responsibility to figure out what happened.

Sloan reports a screw up at blog talk’s broadcasting studio. They wanted me to do the show this thursday. They would fit me in at my usual time.

Tuesday evenings are dedicated to the show. Listeners are aware I will be on at 9 tuesday. They are not aware re a thursday show. Christmas week contributes to my reluctance. I missed two parties last night. Thursday is shaping up as a fun evening also.

Worry not, the Christmas portion will be broadcast by me next tuesday. Too good not to share. Obviously, I am pleased with what I will be reporting.

David Taylor is a long time follower of this blog. He and his wife Marilyn are in Key West this week. The three of us will be watching two basketball games tonight at the same time.

Syracuse/St. John’s and Kentucky/Louisville. Both at 7. We will be watching the games at Jack Flats.

I have never met David and Marilyn face to face. David however writes long comments to some of my blogs.

I look forward to this evening and our meeting!

A sad day in American history. On this date in 1988, Pan American flight 103 was blown up by terrorists over Lockerbie, Scotland. Everyone on the plane killed.

Thirty five of those killed were Syracuse University students returning from studying abroad for a semester. One of those who died was the daughter of a friend.

Heavy.

A bit more Christmas shopping today and I will be done.

Enjoy your day!