Wrong Track Numbers are Being Misinterpreted by Pundits

[louis c]

I can't count how many times political pundits and pollsters keep referring to this election as a "change" election because the polls show that 70% of Americans think the country is on the wrong track (or going in the wrong direction).

The 70% part is accurate, but who's to blame?

In the same polls, 53% of the people approve of the job Democratic President Obama is doing (43% disapprove) +10.

The same polls shows that the Republican Congress has an approval rating of just 18% (79% disapprove). -61

Wouldn't you think that these polls indicate who the people blame for that wrong direction?

Link:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/state_of_the_union/

[Glamrock]

1. Well yes

(Eyes glazed, slack jawed, arms upraised reaching with hands like claws) Bootthhhssiiiiiiiiddes.

[Wounded Bear]

2. I suspect there is something going on similar to the Obamacare polls...

Remember when Obamacare (during the fight to pass it) had 70% disproval, but that was split between die-hard Repubs opposing and a large contingent of Dems/Lefties who thought it wasn't progressive enough?

I've always wanted to see the demographics on these polls. Something smells fishy to me. I suspect that half of the "wrong direction-ers" want to see a sharper turn to the left. It's been drifting right for far too long.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

3. Probably right but that doesn't fit on a crawl.

[Wounded Bear]

8. I know, and it doesn't fit the "angry populace" narrative either...nt

[csziggy]

4. That is why when I am polled I tell them I think the country is on the right track

Most recently, I told Rasmussen that as well as giving President Obama the best approval rating they had. If they had asked I would have blamed most of the country's woes on the Republican led Congress.

[wishstar]

5. Have to wonder if country is on wrong track when incompetent hatemonger Trump has 45% support

The racism and sexism, sheer ignorance and lack of understanding of our democracy and constitution that has come to the forefront in this election gives me pause in answering this question.


But I was asked this question in a poll yesterday and I answered that country is on right track. (Since majority of Americans elected Barack Obama who has led country in a positive direction and I'm sure we will elect Hillary Clinton)

[louis c]

6. But, to my point, Trump is not at 70%, or Hillary is not at 30%

If Obama was to blame for the wrong track numbers, his approval would not be at 53% by the same people.

[Statistical]

7. Which is why it is hillarious when Trump calls Hillary "4 more years of Obama".

Last edited Sun Oct 16, 2016, 10:53 AM - Edit history (1)

Obama has above 50% approval rating. So linking a candidate with a popular president is dumb. Sure his base loves to hear that. They get riled up and boo and shout. However he already has their votes. However if everyone in the country actually believed him and paid attention to no other issues one would expect hillary's popular vote share to be similar to Obama's approval rating. Which would be more than enough to give her the Presidency.

[louis c]

9. I think you mean "When Trump Calls Hillary 4 More Years of Obama

[Statistical]

10. Oops. Yeah. Fixed n/t