Hard Light Productions Forums

Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: mikhael on March 01, 2004, 04:46:13 pm

Title: Push Polls
Post by: mikhael on March 01, 2004, 04:46:13 pm

I just got caught up in one of Carl Rove's push polls.

For those of you who don't know how Mr. Rove works his magic with the people, he utilises polls that are designed to instill opinions, not gather them. The questions are worded in such a way as to predict an answer. A representative example was this one:

"How do you feel President George W. Bush is handling the economy? If Excellent, push 1. If Very Good, press 2. If Fair push 3."

Notice the answer distribution there?

By far the most interesting question was this one:
"Four Massachussets judges recently ruled that the state must allow same sex marriages. Do you 1, think these judges overstepped their bounds or 2, think their ruling was reasonable?"

The question is interesting because it poses the question in the terms of the judges just deciding one day to stir up some controversy. First of all, the ruling was 4-3. Second of all, the judges were directed to rule on the question by the state senate off Massachusetts. The didn't just come up with it on their own.

I just thought you would all like an up to the minute example of political spin and opinion-making in action.

For the record, I said Bush was doing a lousy job. ;)

Title: Push Polls
Post by: Setekh on March 01, 2004, 08:48:36 pm

Political spin never ceases to amaze me. Whenever I look deeper, I just find more of it. In fact, in conjunction with orchestrated opinion-making, I no longer trust anything of what I hear on the news - and the global information system fails.

Well, at least we're thinking of new ways to screw up the same old things... our leadership is still doing a lousy job. ;)

Title: Push Polls
Post by: JC Denton on March 01, 2004, 10:18:49 pm

Rather amusing, the fact that I don't have the need to keep track of the TV or newspaper sources anymore.  I get enough political updates from HLP as-is. :lol:

Title: Push Polls
Post by: mikhael on March 01, 2004, 11:20:59 pm

In fairness, I should point out that, whilst Karl Rove pioneered the concept of the push-poll, the Democrats are using them too. Kerry has one going right now as I understand, and Dean was using them as well.

Title: Push Polls
Post by: Rictor on March 02, 2004, 12:00:34 am

Like two sumo wrestlers.

Push.
Push.
Push.
Push.
Fall.

Title: Push Polls
Post by: mikhael on March 02, 2004, 12:02:49 am

Yeah, hopefully that's exactly what will happen with Mr. Bush. ;)

Title: Push Polls
Post by: Styxx on March 02, 2004, 07:25:48 am

I'll institute the Chop Poll. It'll be a raving success.