Hey DU, Can We Please Decide If We Believe In Polls Or Not?

[DistressedAmerican]

I see this time and time again around here. Whenever a poll looks good to us, it is accepted uncritically. When we don't like the results, people start talking about the polls being meaningless. We can't have it both ways. That is the way Bushco does it. Can we please come up with a standard?

Either the polls are valid the vast majority of the time or they are not. Their accuracy does not change with the responses from those polled. The methods do not change from topic to topic.

I personally tend to accept the bulk of major polls as valid data (even when I do not like them). That would included folks like Gallup, Pew, Quinnipiak (sp?) and most of the major network polls.

Can we at least agree which polls we will trust and which we will dismiss based on something other than that day's topic?

Who do you trust (if anyone) to conduct public opinion polls?

Note: I have seen the trend around often. But, I do not have a particular post in mind while writing this.

Here's some data I liked a lot...

[seriousstan]

1. no

[DistressedAmerican]

2. No We Can't Decide Or No You Don't Believe In Them?

:shrug:

[wryter2000]

3. LOL

That's about it.

Don't expect to find general agreement here. This morning I saw threads that said something like.

"Kerry's response sucks!" and
"Kerry's kicking Bush's butt!"

Different people have different views.

[Aimah]

4. I think there are people who don't pay attention to the news..

but they pay attention to the polls and base their opinions off of them. When we aid in voting in a poll this can help those people who only look at those things. Like everything else on this forum if you don't like it you don't have to post back or participate. If you don't care for the poll don't vote in it.

[RagingInMiami]

5. The polls are meaningless

But when they fall in our favor, they're a source of optimism, as if finally the country has woken up. But when it comes down to it, the idiot is still in the WH.

If polls were so meaningful, Kerry would be in office right now. And even though I believe those polls over Diebold, the polls turned out to be meaningless.

[Dr.Phool]

6. Take a poll and find out.

[DistressedAmerican]

7. Almost Did. But, Many Do Not Trust Their Results!

[dweller]

10. clicky

thing.

:freak:


voting for your option.
dp

[MADem]

8. Faux Polls are total horseshit--off by 2x the margin of error, at least

Any poll associated with WSJ will skew a point or two towards the Monkey. CBS is usually assumed to skew a point or two towards the liberal or progressive viewpoint.

If it is sponsored by the Washington Times, it's bullshitted to the right.

The most they try to blow smoke up your butt is usually not more than five to seven percent...but in tight scenarios, that can mean a lot.

[DistressedAmerican]

9. Definitely Agree With That Analysis. Thanks!

[PowerToThePeople]

11. Are we talking the CNN ones that mysteriously changed?

After * was outed as the "winner?"

[DistressedAmerican]

13. Can You Link Me? I Don't Recall That Incident.

Don't necessesarily deny it happened. Just would like to know what data was being used when it did. Who collected it.

They use too many poll numbers on their network, sceintific, non-scientific, faith-based, etc. I watch carefully when they use polls to see who's numbers they are reporting on. It varies greatly. As do the quality of the polls. Didn't mean to say I accept CNN polls uncritically.

[PowerToThePeople]

14. It should be in an archive here at DU. Search it.

I really don't want to go looking for something I have seen and read before and I don't keep good records on my end =( But it is out there. Maybe, if you are lucky, another poster will come by who recalls it and will link it up.

[DistressedAmerican]

16. I'll Look For It. Thanks.

[LWolf]

12. No.

"We" can't decide what "we" believe in.

That's and individual decision, not groupthink.

[DistressedAmerican]

15. Sorry I Didn't Realize I Was Telling You To Goose Step.

"I'm too liberal for your post, to liberal for your post! Ooo, Too liberal!"

:eyes:

[LWolf]

18. WTF does being liberal, or not, have to do with it?

:wtf: :spray:

Are you saying that you are too liberal to read my post? Are you joining, or enjoying, or not, the general liberal-bashing currently in fashion at DU? Are you implying that I am "too liberal" for something?

Is being liberal, or not liberal, somehow intrinsically linked to groupthink?





:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[DistressedAmerican]

19. Non-Conformity At All Costs! No Agreement EVER!

Vive la revolution!

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[LWolf]

24. lol

Just which revolution are you fostering?



:popcorn:

[leesa]

17. What's to believe in? It's a marketing tool. People glance at them and

go with the flow. Vote em up and you can market an opinion to those easily swayed by the crowd.

[insane_cratic_gal]

20. I can tell ya but you won't like it

We believe in them when they go our way..

We believe them to be bullshit hacks when they don't.

Sort of like that other messageboard *shudder*

[DistressedAmerican]

21. I Guess In That Regard We Are No Better Than Repugs.

Personally, I think people are far to prone to believing what they want to hear. How many a cheated on spouse beleved the story that the other will change only to find more lip stick on the old collar?

[insane_cratic_gal]

22. I think in that regard we may be

just as flawed as they are, Yes it's what I am suggesting.

Although I believe we demonstrate critical thinking, and criticisms forces each of us to examine our own beliefs. As a result, individuals experience growth. I myself have become more open and tolerant from being apart of this community for just a year.

The repug board.. on the other hand,(yes freepers I'm referring to you) tend to blindly reinforce their ideas and tolerant no differences, the status quo continues. It's not they are incapable of thought, they are incapable of empathy and tolerance.

Because we do, it is our saving grace, or what at least that is what I believe.

[LSK]

23. your probably best off if you make a poll asking if you believe polls

[skipos]

25. Polls aren't the end all be all, but I think they give you a good

idea of what people think.