Trump fans wonder how pollsters could have underestimated their guy again

If there was anyone less popular than Joe Bidenamong Donald Trump's supporters last evening,it was pollsters, many of whom suggested Trump wouldlose the 2020 election by a significant margin.

While the election result remainsunresolved at the moment, muchof the celebration at some Trump parties on Tuesday nightwas due to the Republican candidate exceeding expectations again.

Atthe Bungalow Lakehousebar in Sterling, Va., patron Steve Jackson complained aboutwhat he called"purposely misleading" polling on the race between Trump and Democratic challenger Biden, some of which suggested that the latter had adouble-digit lead nationally.

"I think they'vemade a lot of assumptions, and someof them will beoverturned during the night," said Jackson, who works as an engineer.

"The polls were horriblywrong in2016."

Jacksonsaid he still thought Trumphada good chance of winning this time arounddepending on what"shenanigans" go on with absentee and mail-in ballots.

WATCH | Catch up on what you missed election night:

How U.S. election night unfolded in 7 minutes

4 years ago

Duration 7:09

Watch highlights of our coverage of the U.S. presidential election.

Polling is 'skewed'

There was a similar vibe about the pre-election predictions56 kmwest atMichael's Little Italy restaurant in Alexandria, Va.

"I feel the pollsters are skewed," said Dan Erbe, who works in the military. "I feel thephilosophyof polling is skewed."

Skewed, he said, because they likely miss what many have dubbed as"shy" Trump voters.

"I know talking with my family and some of my friends, sometimes, they justdon'twant to engage in a [political] discussion. They, Iwould say, would be the silent majority," Erbe said.

The nightcertainlyconfirmedfor some that their candidate performed better than predicted. Decisive victories in Florida,Ohio, even Texas whichin the lead-up to the electionwas considered in play for the Democrats were all big moments for Trumpsupporters.

WATCH | Trump supporters in Miami's Little Havana neighbourhood celebrate:

Trump supporters celebrate in Miami's Little Havana neighbourhood

4 years ago

Duration 1:07

Trump supporters began early celebrations in Miami's Little Havana neighbourhood following a Florida win, despite final presidential election results still being unknown

But it wasn't without its lows. Trump'sloss in Arizona, for example, was considereda big disappointment.

"I would havewanted Arizona. But I like the Texas win and I love the Florida win," said Erbe. "I'm feeling pretty confident. I have a feeling we're going to win Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolinaand, in a couple days, Pennsylvania."

The challenge for Trump and hissupporters, however, are mail-in ballots, which are expected to favour Biden and could herald a victory for him.

'I'm still feeling positive'

In a speechdelivered last nightto supporters in a parking lot in Wilmington, Del., Bidenacknowledged the delay in vote counting but said he felt he was on track to win theelection.

"No, you're not!" said a Trump supporterat the Alexandria electionparty, one of many who took turns yelling at the TV as Biden spoke.

Angie Baskette, a defence contractor from Fairfax, Va. was also cautiously optimistic that Trump would come through.

"I still feel he's going to pull it out.I'm still feeling positive," saidBaskette,sitting in Michael's Little Italy.

Earlier in the evening,after Fox News called the state of Texas for Trump, Baskette declared,"I'm moving to Texas!"

The call had been a boost to her spirits after the network called Arizona for Biden.

Republican candidate Jeff Jordan, who was also at the restaurant,was feeling thestingoflosinghis race forVirginia's 8th Congressional District. But he, too,expressed optimism that Trump could be on his way to a second term in the White House.

"It's his to win,"said Jordan."It's closer than I would like it to be and closer than I expected it would be, but at the endof the day, I'mstill confident Trump's going to win it."

Trump's pledge

Jordan made those comments early Wednesday morning, as the50 or so Trumpsupporters who had gathered at the restaurant were getting ready to call it a night.

Just 12 kilometres northin Washington, D.C., the president and invited guests were watching the results from the White House.

Having trickled out of the restaurantaround 1:30 a.m., Jordan and his colleaguesmissed seeing Trump on television prematurelydeclaring victory before all the ballots were countedand vowing to go to the Supreme Court to ensure a win.

WATCH | Trump declares victory prematurely:

Trump claims win despite millions of uncounted votes

4 years ago

Duration 1:12

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said as far as hes concerned he and the Republican Party have won the U.S. election. He said he will go to the U.S. Supreme Court and wants voting to stop. However, several states are still counting votes that have already been cast.

At that time,the electoral college count stood at 224votes for Biden and213 for Trump, withGeorgia, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania yet to be called.

While she washoping her guy would be victorious, Baskettesaid regardless of the outcome, she will take the final results in stride.

"If [Trump] loses, life will go on. We are going to go to bed, wake up in the morning, go to work. I'm not going to go out and storm the city and burn it down."

Ask us

What do you want to know about the U.S. election? EmailusatAsk@cbc.ca.