Margin of Duh
By Karl-Thomas Musselman
Polls can be great. But somtimes the reporting of them can be incredibly stupid. Consider for instance this gem of a report.
The American public initially supports Medicare legislation providing help with prescription drugs, but that support fades when presented with criticism of the bill signed into law this year, a poll released Saturday suggests.
Asked whether they support "a Medicare bill which among other things provides prescription drug coverage and allows private companies to provide some services," almost two-thirds, 63 percent, said yes, according to the poll by the National Annenberg Election Survey.
When those polled were presented with opponents' arguments that the bill won't help seniors that much and cutting costs will eventually destroy Medicare, support faded. After hearings those arguments, only one in five of the total sample, 21 percent, supported it and another two in five said they were unsure.
Well duh. Though I hope that this isn't a word for word account of how the poll was conducted, the way it is being reported makes it sound that way. Well, gee, if I was asked how I felt about an expensive measure if it wouldn't help its targeted group that much or actually destroy a program, I wonder if my support might "fade" or become a little more "unsure".
Come on reporters, let's get with it. I was once one of you, and this should not become the standard.
During a campaign year, both sides are certain to vigorously debate the measure.
Yeah. Great Analysis. I'm tingling with suspense.
Posted by Karl-Thomas Musselman at December 28, 2003 01:38 AM
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Well, gee, if I was asked how I felt about an expensive measure if it wouldn't help its targeted group that much or actually destroy a program, I wonder if my support might "fade" or become a little more "unsure".
Right on, Karl. In fact, after being presented the issue in such biased terms, the only question is "Who were the one in five idiots who supported it under that description?"
