Comments on: LA Times/Bloomberg Poll: Obama Leads By 15 http://donklephant.com/2008/06/24/la-timesbloomberg-poll-obama-leads-by-15/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:33:07 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Tango Hotel http://donklephant.com/2008/06/24/la-timesbloomberg-poll-obama-leads-by-15/comment-page-1/#comment-410447 Tango Hotel Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:34:57 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=6120#comment-410447 The problem with most polls and especially political polls is that poll takers are lazy. They don't want a true representative sample so they sample in their own back yard. Most Americans don't live in large metropolitan areas on either the east or west coasts. But that's where the NY Times and LA Times and many other pollsters ask their questions. The other problems is that many polls are actually designed to influence public opinion by the way the questions are asked and who is asked. But I believe most folks are much too intelligent to be swayed by mere poll numbers. As a Social Scientist I would fire most poll takers because their research methods are worthless. They need to take a class in statistics or Social Science or proper research techniques before they take on the job of seeking public opinion. Maybe then they would get it right. But then somebody even dumber is paying for this data. And we all read it. In the end the only poll that really counts is on election day, remember to vote. The problem with most polls and especially political polls is that poll takers are lazy. They don’t want a true representative sample so they sample in their own back yard. Most Americans don’t live in large metropolitan areas on either the east or west coasts. But that’s where the NY Times and LA Times and many other pollsters ask their questions.

The other problems is that many polls are actually designed to influence public opinion by the way the questions are asked and who is asked. But I believe most folks are much too intelligent to be swayed by mere poll numbers.

As a Social Scientist I would fire most poll takers because their research methods are worthless. They need to take a class in statistics or Social Science or proper research techniques before they take on the job of seeking public opinion. Maybe then they would get it right. But then somebody even dumber is paying for this data. And we all read it. In the end the only poll that really counts is on election day, remember to vote.

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