The deficit shortfall had been expected because of delays in carrying out reforms and a deeper-than-expected recession, with the Greek economy forecast to contract by 5.5 percent this year.
The surveys were, he finds, more closely bunched around the prediction of a Conservative-Labour dead heat than should have been expected, because of random variation alone.
When the company reports its fiscal second-quarter results Tuesday, it has said it will swing to a wider loss than had been expected because of yet another delay in a product launch.
The departure of Mr. Scott, 53, who has been with Cordiant and its predecessors since 1990, had been expected because of difficulties at Cordiant, including the losses of large clients at its biggest division, Bates Worldwide.
While Mr. Ashcroft's confirmation had long been expected because of Republican unity, the key question had been how many Democrats would oppose him in the first test of the new balance of power.
Mr. Bloomberg's timing, however, might be better this year than last: the governor is expected to report next week that the state's budget plight is not as bad as had been expected, because of rising revenues for the improving economy that is also boosting the city's budget.
