I dunno how I feel. The change is strange (I rhymed!).
I'm kinda confused by what exactly changed. I know you mentioned some things, but it is just like how your name/online/posts are a bit tighter, etc.?
I'm not sure what you want me to say. There are some minor changes in spacing, font size, etc., but otherwise I copied the old theme over as closely as I could, and I think it looks similar enough to be a non-issue for the most part. I will of course look into remedying anything significant (like your poll issue), but otherwise this is eventually going to be a legacy theme anyway, as I plan on skinning SMF 2.0's default "Curve" theme and using it for the forum default. The old theme will remain on as an option for those who prefer it.