chum in the water

— The year 1999 was a big one for polls here at TIME.com. […] Pre-millennial fever seemed to add an extra edge to all the passions that motivate people to express themselves — political tension, national pride, economic disparity, religious fervor — and our polls were chum in the water for those with an overwhelming need to make themselves heard. […] The polls that touched a nerve and set off huge responses gave us insights.