The value of data: Trump running a risk by not taking advantage of technology

Donald Trump says he will become president without relying on the polling and tracking data that has become the hallmark of so many campaigns, Hillary Clinton's in particular.

Trump said he will take the White House by the force of his own personality and the straight-out support of the millions who have come to see him as a maverick politician who will put a stop to the stalemate that has come to exemplify the Washington "inner circle."

We like his bravery. We are not fond of polls, either.

But the thing is, they seem to work. And we believe he is taking a big risk in not investing heavily in the data and digital expertise at his fingertips.

President Barack Obama owes his success in large part to the type of data collecting that Trump sneers at. And Clinton is taking advantage of it as well.

In a close race, it could come down to who has the ability to make small adjustments in strategy. And despite his obvious charisma, Trump might not have that edge if he doesn't use all the tools at his disposal.

Published in Editorials on May 17, 2016 11:32 AM