An amusing feature of modern political discourse involves the selective way public opinion surveys are used. A great example can be found today in the reception accorded two polls by Rasmussen.
Obama supporters dislike Rasmussen because his surveys suggest that the President and his policies do not enjoy universal support. Thus, they ignored this poll (via Hot Air) on Obamacare:
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% are opposed to the plan … and 42% are Strongly Opposed.
But many of the same folks who “missed” this survey found another of Rasmussen’s polls very interesting indeed. Sullivan links to this one showing shaky support for Sarah Palin among Republicans:
Rasmussen is a dubious polling shop, but they do poll the GOP base very thoroughly. The results reveal a Republican voting bloc not entirely as nutso as the activists.
So, a Rasmussen survey showing weak support for Obamacare can be dismissed without a word, while a poll by the same “dubious shop” is worth a read because it shows weak support for Palin.
Ironically, Sully reckons the GOP base relatively sane because they prefer Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee over Palin for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
Nominating either of these sure losers WOULD be “nutso.”
Comments 1
If Sullivan is for them (and let’s not kid ourselves: he’ll be anti-*insert R here* no matter who gets the nom–especially Huck) that’s, generally, a good indicator of who will likely be electoral poison.
Posted 20 Oct 2009 at 3:12 pm ¶Post a Comment