The Bradley Effect is named for former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (shown here on the left in 1993 with the city's then police chief Willie Williams), whose 1982 bid to be California's governor seemed a sure winner in the polls. Yet, after the ballots were tallied, Bradley lost to white Republican George Deukmejian. Research later showed that many voters claiming to be Bradley supporters and/or undecided voted for Deukmejian, possibly keeping their decision to vote for Deukmajian private for fear of appearing racist. (MIKE NELSON / Getty Images)

Was it the Bradley Effect?

The Bradley Effect is named for former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (shown here on the left in 1993 with the city's then police chief Willie Williams), whose 1982 bid to be California's governor seemed a sure winner in the polls. Yet, after the ballots were tallied, Bradley lost to white Republican George Deukmejian. Research later showed that many voters claiming to be Bradley supporters and/or undecided voted for Deukmejian, possibly keeping their decision to vote for Deukmajian private for fear of appearing racist.

Credit: MIKE NELSON / Getty Images