The sheer volume of presidential polls in this election cycle is an SNL skit waiting to happen. But if you're looking for one poll to hang your hat on, look no further than Dallas-based 7-Eleven.
From Sept. 28 through today, the convenience store has been selling coffee in candidate-specific cups for Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. The sales are tabulated by city and state, as well as nationwide. (Alas there are no 7-Eleven stores in Houston, we're not sure exactly why that is.)
Since 2000, 7-Eleven's coffee cup poll has correctly predicted the winner of the presidential election.
There's more than sheer bluster behind the brand. According to data from The New York Times, the survey's sample size is roughly 6 million, and with 65 percent of Americans drinking coffee, it's not a bad habit to hone in on.
Most customers choose to drink out of undecided green cups, but those who pick a candidate appear to put some thought behind it. Since 2000, the coffee cup poll has correctly predicted the winner of the presidential election. Even more impressive, the results have been within one percentage point of the official popular vote.
Will 2012 continue to trend? Only time will tell, but in the interim, let's check out the numbers.
Nationally, Obama leads Romney by a margin of 59 percent to 41 percent.
In Texas, Obama's lead is slightly narrower: 57 percent to 43 percent.
In Dallas, Obama has a commanding lead with 64 percent of coffee cups.
In Fort Worth, the Obama camp has 56 percent to Romney's 44 percent.
