NY Times Poll: Tea Party Makeup

[mrmeangenes]

I have my doubts about the validity of polls -in general- and regard this one with no more confidence than others.

That said, here 'tis:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15poll.html?th&emc=th

[CommonCents]

I have my doubts about the validity of polls -in general- and regard this one with no more confidence than others.

That said, here 'tis:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15poll.html?th&emc=th

Who knows how accurate it is.

I did find it interesting that the Times had to inject race in the poll by asking people about whether the administration favored black people over whites. I mean, what the fuck does that have to do with anything?

[GetAClue]

Who knows how accurate it is.

I did find it interesting that the Times had to inject race in the poll by asking people about whether the administration favored black people over whites. I mean, what the fuck does that have to do with anything?
It fits the paradigm. They are talking about the Tea Party and EVERYONE knows that they are nothing but White, racists homophobes that want nothing more than to bring down the black man sitting in the White House.

[Hawkeye2j]

It fits the paradigm. They are talking about the Tea Party and EVERYONE knows that they are nothing but White, racists homophobes that want nothing more than to bring down the black man sitting in the White House.

I love this part of it:

And nearly three-quarters of those who favor smaller government said they would prefer it even if it meant spending on domestic programs would be cut.

But in follow-up interviews, Tea Party supporters said they did not want to cut Medicare or Social Security — the biggest domestic programs, suggesting instead a focus on “waste.”

Some defended being on Social Security while fighting big government by saying that since they had paid into the system, they deserved the benefits.

Others could not explain the contradiction.

“That’s a conundrum, isn’t it?” asked Jodine White, 62, of Rocklin, Calif. “I don’t know what to say. Maybe I don’t want smaller government. I guess I want smaller government and my Social Security.” She added, “I didn’t look at it from the perspective of losing things I need. I think I’ve changed my mind.”

[mrmeangenes]

Let me express my personal views about polls: During the Bush administration, it seemed to me the (political) opposition was using polls as a form of astro-turfing (which I referred to at the time as "snowballing").

Let's say I run a poll today - and rush , with great fanfare, to publish the result. "Dogcatcher's approval rating slips 2 points !"

Two weeks later, I run a similar poll - asking similar questions of a group that has been "contaminated" by the stories I've planted everywhere. A "me-too" effect is almost guaranteed to take place, as those polled think the first group must have been on to something when they were so negative.

Wow ! Now I've got a new headline: "Dogcatcher's Approval Rating Plummets 5 Points !"

Do this enough times-with enough fanfare,and we'll soon be reading: "Dogcatcher Hounded Out of Office !"

IMHO, a credible pollster would try to avoid contamination of the poll-ees (if there is such a word). Unfortunately, poll results are usually a commodity , rather than a public service - and the pollster has little control of what happens to the report.

[CommonCents]

It fits the paradigm. They are talking about the Tea Party and EVERYONE knows that they are nothing but White, racists homophobes that want nothing more than to bring down the black man sitting in the White House.

:lmao2: :lmao2:

[Citizen]

New York Times... HA! Next.