Let's label the national polls the "naked truth bureau," and peddlers of theories as the "secret plan bureau." For the 2016 presidential election, an average of the final national polls indicated that Hillary Clinton would claim victory with 3.3 percent, whereas she won the popular vote by 2.1 percent, definitely within the margin of error. But where the national polls got it woefully wrong was they badly undercounted the number of silent Donald Trump voters.

This agrees with the findings of a recent poll that said 62 percent of Americans say the disturbing political climate these days prevents them from candidly talking about things they believe because others might find them offensive. So let's say the secret plan bureau understands this better than their uncertain adversary. We're quite familiar with the silent majority from the last election, so the question in 2020 is if these zipped Trump allies are a mythical ground force out there or not?

In blue states where Trump will be unable to put together a victory, it's a given that this doesn't apply; however, in states that are closer than national polls show, I believe there is a greater number of closed-mouthed Americans who've already voted or are very likely to cast a ballot. But are there enough of these hushed independent Americans to supply Trump with another triumph?

I call them the S-MAGA, the Silent Make America Great hat-wearers. It only took two per precinct last time in the crucial states to earn Trump a historic win. There will be a record number of people voting in this election. A good portion of them will increase the numbers greatly, especially in blue states that were going for Biden anyway. I believe the tight-lipped Trump supporter, particularly since Biden's oil industry comments that will cost him votes, will live up to their name.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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