Comments on: Polls

By: Boyd

Boyd — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

I'm glad you didn't hang up this time, James. It's interesting to hear what is being "surveyed." Like you, it appears that the purpose of the survey were keyed on the final questions, which also betrayed the agenda of whoever commissioned it.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Yeah, been there-done that, too. A few months ago a phone polster called with questions obviously targeted to produce a favourable poll response to a government ad campaign.

For example:

"Do you believe that women can successfully operate a business in Saskatchewan?"

I finally stopped the pollster, told him that I was a self employed woman, so my obvious answer would be yes, and that, by the way, my clientelle had shifted from 80% Saskatchewn based to 20% Saskatchewan based in the past 10 years, and that I was considering moving to the US because of the difficulties in trans-border business, created by our governments.

He was typing furiously...

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

It sounds like a modified push poll. We have an opinion, so we will ask you the resident a leading question to bend your mind to our side of the issue. Then you will recieve a post card or flyer that will show how party X or candidate Y will fix the problem. Or it will show up in you local newspaper...

By: Boyd

Boyd — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

I'd say the most likely candidates for the "force behind the poll" is the Piedmont Environmental Council or possibly Voters to Stop Sprawl, whose politicians got swept out of office last November.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

James,
My favorite answer when a telemarketer called when I was active duty was to try and recruit them into the Army. It usually began with me saying something like this "Boy am I glad you called....." and proceded accordingly. It is amazing how quickly a telemarketer wants to get off the phone.

By: PoliBlog

PoliBlog — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

James Joyner Gets Polled
And we all know how painful thaht can be....

By: Obsidian Wings

Obsidian Wings — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Piker.
James Joyner let that pollster off the hook waaaaay too easily; in my house we treat one of their calls as an opportunity to practice our improv skills. In my day I've: *Start babbling mid-sentence, then just as stopped just

By: Signifying Nothing

Signifying Nothing — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Poll'd
Some polling outfit made the mistake of calling James Joyner. Hilarity ensues.

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