Are Pollsters In The Bag?
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https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/506336-are-the-pollsters-all-in-the-bag-for-biden
After a lot of interesting schoolroom material, the bottom line: "No matter how you cut it, Trump is behind. Some polls may be undercounting his strongest demographics, but not by enough to make a big difference."
Whatever.
Polls, schmolls. Has any poll examined the reasons those surveyed answer the way they do? I.e., You:
- Don't know, but answer like you do;
- Don't care, but answer like you do;
- Your husband is listening on the extension, and if you don't answer "right" he's gonna break-a you face;
- Your boss, whom you hate, would answer X, so you answer Y just because he's a jerk;
- You thought it was a poll for a new coffee.
How about a poll like this? The poll guy says, "Good day, Madam. Would you answer a question for the XYZ pollster?"
You: "Okay."
Poll Guy: "First, a little background, okay? There is a drone zeroed on your house. It is remotely monitoring your 12 pulse points in the manner of a lie detector. It is the latest technology from the U.S. Government. If you lie to me, it will zap you good. Do you understand?"
You: . . .
Poll Guy: "Good. Now for the question. Have you ever lied when answering a poll?"
You: . . .
Poll Guy: "Hello?"
You: . . .
Poll Guy: "Hello? Ma'am? No need to be afraid. Just tell the truth and no harm will come to you. Did you understand the question?"
You: . . .
Poll Guy: "Hello -- (to colleague) She hung up."
Colleague: "Gee, just like the other 300 people we've called with this question."
Poll Guy: "I think this plan isn't working too well."
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Polls, like any statistic, and be made to sound good depending on how you want to "spin" it.
Week 1 Poll
Candidate A - 20%
Candidate B - 80%Week 2 Poll
Candidate A - 21%
Candidate B - 79%Press release from Candidate A
"Polls show continuing increase in support for Candidate A" LOL -
