Originally broadcast on November 2, 2012.

As the nation heads into election day on November 6, Basic Black considers the relevance of polls and the persistence of predictions. And what does it say about the candidates and this country that the race is so close?

In conversation:

• Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News

• Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio

• Peniel Joseph, professor of history Tufts University; Du Bois Fellow, Harvard University

• Robert Fortes, Republican strategist

(Photo: Early voting, Ohio 2012. Source: Associated Press.)