Poll Pollution

Pope Poll Pottpourri

2005-04-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

Several new polls relating to public opinion of the pope, and on who the next pope should be:

One CNN poll found that Seventy-Eight percent of Catholics had a favorable opinion of the Pope during the end of his life.

Another poll by Le Moyne College and Zogby International found that Ninty-Eight percent of respondants in the United States believe that Jean Paul II is worthy of sainthood.

Interestingly enough, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll released last week also found that U.S. catholics would support some changes in doctorine from the next Pope, including changes in policy on stem cell research, birth control, and allowing priests to marry.

Polling the Culture of Life

2005-03-23T20:40:00.000-08:00

A recent ABC news poll has found that most Americans support the court's initial decision on the Terri Schiavo case.

Seventy percent of those polled thought it was wrong for Congress to become involved in a private medical matter. In fact, sixty-seven percent also believe that the lawmakers involved did so for political reasons.

Some interesting numbers, especially given the decisiveness with which some members of congress have taken action on this issue.

International Pollin' Roundup

2005-03-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

Hey, did you know there are other countries? I didn't. I mean, I'd heard about Iraq and Canada and maybe Mexico once, from like this dude on TV.

Wait, no I didn't.

But there has been a dearth of polling news lately. So now we play the "lets look up some international polling news game". This is a fun game because after this game you know that I will play the "lets do a 'best of' post" game. And everyone loves 'best of' posts!!!

First up, the Lebonese opposition has some serious issues with Syria, according to this article from the Arab News. They accuse Syria of fixin' the polls to keep the Pro-Syria ruling party in power.

Next, all the way in Eastern Europe, we've got the last in the latest line of a string of leftist, western-leaning opposition parties nearing power. This time it is in Slovakia, where a liberal opposition group is performing strongly in pre-election polls.

Finally, out of Africa, we have a very different, very unhappy opposition party. In Zimbabwe the opposition party accuses President Robert Mugabe's government of fixing the recent elections.

UN-Believable!

2005-03-22T20:23:00.000-08:00

Think polling a city is hard? A state? A country?

Try 23 countries.

A new poll from the BBC shows that people of twenty-three nations - more than 23,000 people, in fact - overwhelming support both expanding the UN security council and giving the UN itself a larger role in world affairs.

Yes, that includes the United States. Maybe it would be a good idea for us to pay those dues this time?

Stuck in The Office?

2005-03-06T23:51:00.000-08:00

No, not the actual office in which you will spend most of your puny mortal lives. I mean the TV show, which parodies your puny mortal office lives.

If you're British, of course. We Americans don't really get any decent TV (oh, wait, I forgot Joey) but overseas they've got some decent options.

A new UK Comic Relief poll has The Office coming out ahead of series such as The Simpsons and Friends as the funniest TV show ever.

The survey also included hits like The Black Adder and Monty Pythons Flying Circus, plus a few more that you've never heard of and thus are irrelevant. If you're American, that is.

Apparently There is a Hip Cell Phone Only Crowd I was Not Aware Of...

2005-03-03T01:15:00.000-08:00

At this very moment they are preparing their revolution from the depths of Williamsburg like all other hipsters. Thats right. Not a bunch of college students, or young artists, or professional mimes, or Crispin Glover.

No. Its the "Cell Phone Only Crowd". No landline, no problem.

According to a new article from CNN, pollsters are finally confronting the issue of dealing with this peculiar portion of the population. If you recall, it was a serious issue last election, as cell phone numbers are often more difficult to find, and even more difficult to justifiably call for survey purposes.

Plans include reinbursement schemes and consideration of safety concerns like what to do if a respondant is driving or operating a chain saw while performing neurosurgery.

No word on the safety concerns for if the respondant is also Crispin Glover.

Hillary-ous!

2005-02-22T20:54:00.000-08:00

Watch out. I have more puns from where that came from, and I'm going to start shooting them off unless my list of demands are met.

My first demand:

Could someone please tell me exactly how Hillary Clinton has made such an astonishing come back? A new New York Times poll shows that the senator's approval rating in New York State has rocketed to 69 percent from 58 percent in October.

What is more, when matched against both Rudy and Pataki in the sentatorial race, she comes up ahead. Some very, very surprising information, considering she remains relatively unpopular nationwide.

So I need someone to explain it to me. And I don't want the explanation where you talk about how she has "toned down her discussions of abortion and gay rights". I want an explanation involving lasers and robots and Tony Danza.

And then, the puns will stop. I swear.

Morals? What are those?

2005-02-19T21:10:00.000-08:00

Certainly not something we should be teaching children at school, home, or anywhere else.

Well, a new Scripps survey shows some surprising statistics about what Americans value.
For example, only 31 percent of Americans, out of over a thousand surveyed, cite homosexuality as a serious moral issue, compared to 71 percent concerned with hunger.

There are, of course, separations based on the normal demographic splits, with Republicans very much more concerned about Same-Sex marriage than Democrats.

What surprises me are the missing morals - how many Americans are angered by the lack of catagories including single drivers in the carpool lanes, or cell phones in the movies? Surely, we cannot simple ignore them! You try sitting through Hitch while someone is talking to their girlfriend in Nepal.

Also, thankfully, only 18 percent of respondents were concerned with gambling. The other 82 percent were glued to their televisions waiting for the results of the Pick Four, which they all unfortunately lost.

Social Insecurity

2005-02-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

Well, after waiting a whole week to try and think of an appropriate pre-Valentine's Day title for this post, I think I've finally got it. So yes, this post's oh so clever title could both be seen as a metaphor for someone's romantic ineptitude (not mine, of course) and as a play on Social Security, which is apparently something my Grandmother gets a bit of, my dad will get less of, and that I'll forget about by the time I'm their age.

A new CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll shows that more than two-thirds of adults think that workers with higher incomes should pay Social Security taxes on all their wages (and not just the $90,000 the government can tax for social security now) .

Of more than a thousand adults surveyed, this was by far the most popular option for revamping Social Security - with reduced benefits and increased taxes for all workers falling far behind. Also, more than half of those believe that the plan being pushed by the current administration - to allow investors to put some of their Social Security into private plans - is a "bad idea". Only four percent of respondents said that Social Security was doing A-Ok.

What I want is a poll of people who think Social Insecurity is a great idea for a blog title. Then again, Google can't be wrong.

U.S. Students Unfamiliar with Constitution, Familiar with Ashlee Simpson

2005-02-03T23:24:00.000-08:00

I know what you're saying. "Gee, Poll Pollution, isn't it just all the rage to bad mouth our nation's children?" Well sure it is. And you know why? Because it's darned fun! Heck, I'm not laughing at them - I'm laughing with them!

Okay, I'm laughing at them.

But can you blame me? No, you can't. Not when 36% of high school students think the press should get "government approval" before publishing stories. The press. That includes (I would hope) bloggers. Such as myself. And I have it on good word that there are some people higher up that would love to stifle me and my Ashlee Simpson ramblings. Enough, they say. You've taken the joke as far as it will go, they say.

Well, according to an extensive survey of high school students conducted by the University of Connecticut, this is exactly what many of our nations youngsters think should happen.

Some highlights:

32% think the press has "too much freedom".
75% believe flag burning is illegal (it is not).
73% either "didn't know how they felt" about the First Amendment or "take it for granted".

Think you can take it with a grain of salt? Not when the survey, commisioned by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, questioned over 100,000 students.

Scary? Maybe, or maybe it's not. Maybe I've had so much freedom lately to write that I''ve been thinking too much and find things like this scary. Maybe if someone took away that freedom I'd be less scared. Maybe I wouldn't mention Ashlee Simpson so much.

Nahhh.

This one's going out to Williamsburg...

2005-01-26T21:24:00.000-08:00

At last, an opportunity to post about a subject that is poll related and to provide a direly needed boost to my indie street cred. So ya'll should feel free to unplug yourselves from your Bright Eyes or Modest Mouse or Tim Mcgraw or whatever and pay attention for however many moments your far-too-short hipster attention span can spare.

A recent BBC news poll found that the group The Bravery is 2005's most promising act. What, you say? You've never heard of them? Dude. I'm just gonna give up. You think I can't see through that trucker hat and track jacket? Well I can. I know that iPod mini is filled with Bling 182 and Mariah Carey. You can't fool me.

And, hey, I totally understand. Glitter, anyone?

Boost for Bloomberg?

2005-01-20T09:49:00.000-08:00

Sorry if the post is a little NYC-centric today. What, you say? There is something going on down in DC today? Well, does it have a poll associated with it? Thought not.

It is a pretty tough act being mayor of the "big apple" after the ever popular Rudy (no, not this Rudy). And for a while, it looked like Mayor Bloomberg might have some stiff competition come this year's mayoral race.

But things are looking up for Bloomy. A new Quinnipiac University poll shows Bloomberg tied in popularity with former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer - his highest rating yet. He is running ahead of the other Democratic challengers as well. This is quite a change from his relatively low approval ratings, (31 percent) in the summer of 2003.

Me, I put my money on the guy with the, err, money.

Poll Wars: A New Hope

2005-01-17T07:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am that much of a dork. But I just wanted to give you the heads up about a new survey conducted for the AP by Ipsos-Public Affairs. The findings?

Apparently Americans are hopefuly for President Bush's second term, while apprehensive about the future of Iraq.

I'm Back!!!

2005-01-13T20:19:00.000-08:00

Yes, after a relaxing and, I might say, well deserved hiatus, I'm back with all the Ashlee Simpson polling news you can handle. There are going to be a few changes around here. For one, all political polling articles will now be replaced with Ashlee Simpson articles.

Just kidding. Sort of. Now that the election is over, and you can all go back to sleep for another four years, I'm going to be doing a little more focusing on the sleezy, celebrity themed polls you know and love. Ashton Kutcher? Check. Gary Coleman? Check. Did I mentioned Ashton Kutcher already?

For today, however, I'm going to ring in the New Year with one more ole' political polling article (though I promise to do others from time to time).

Wired has an article on whether or not polls can be fixed. It deals with the whole Zogby fiasco from the election and brings up some good points: why don't the all the networks pool their resources in order to create a more accurate exit polling envirorment? What is the real impact of the cell phone problem? Is Brad really getting with Angelina?

Ok, maybe not the last one. But its a good recap of my last few hundred articles, and necessary reading if you can't take this class at Columbia.

Coming soon...

2004-12-01T21:56:00.000-08:00

Just when you thought all was safe in the world of polling...

Us here (err, I) at Poll Pollution are going to be writing a series of research articles on polls in the news.

But this time it'll be worldwide. Remember this post? Well, it seems that there are in fact other countries besides
the US. And while I'll leave it to you to decide whether or not they actually matter, I will be providing you a glimpse at the trials and tribulations of polling that occur in other countries.

For a sneak peak at the first article, to be released next week, check this out.

If there happen to be any stories you'd like to see here at Poll Pollution, email your tips to pollpollution (at) gmail.com

Court Jesting

2004-11-28T14:35:00.000-08:00

According to a recent AP poll, six out of ten Americans favor retirement requirements for Supreme Court justices.

Of course, when asked what job William H. Rehnquist held on the court , 59 percent of those polled didn't know. I mean, come on people. Everyone knows he is the Supreme Court Jester. Like, duh. Actually, thats not so far from the...well, I won't go there.

But seriously, he is the Chief Justice. And the fact that people don't even know who the Chief Justice is sort of makes me hope nobody starts clamoring for amendments to the consitution about this whole age thing...

Poll Approval

2004-11-24T14:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll. Me, I'll be spending it sleeping.

But if you happen to be awake, check out this article from CNN - it seems that Bush's job approval ratings have taken a slight increase since the election.

Exit Polled

2004-11-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like some of the ramifications from the exit poll debacle are starting to roll in.

The consortium that conducts the poll has voted to release the numbers a few hours early to prevent the sort of leaking we saw this year.

Then again, doesn't the fact that the numbers were leaked sort of preclude any attempt they might make to hold them in? what are they gonna do, wait to count the numbers till the next month?

Maybe.

We are not alone...

2004-11-18T01:17:00.000-08:00

You might think that we in the States are the only ones with polling problems.

Then again, you might think alot of things if you boarded yourself into your apartment and only left for water and to chase away the nieghbors.

But for your edutainment, check out these following examples of polling problems:

From Nambia

From Ireland

From Hong Kong

So lots of countries have polling problems, and a pretty wide variety of them too.

See! I'm innocent!

2004-11-16T02:22:00.000-08:00

It's midterm season part two over here for me, but just so ya'll know: us bloggers are innocent.

That only exit poll thing, the election - we just report the leaks and anything else that falls short of real news.

Anyway, there was an article on CNN about a blogging conference - say what you will about us, we are becoming more prevalent.

And you can't do anything about it! Short of destroying the world!

But please don't.

Moral Kombat

2004-11-14T22:32:00.000-08:00

Well, it seems that the exit polling articles are coming a-tricklin' in.

Last week I got my hands on a new article about the inner workings of the exit polls, and how certain options influenced voters' answers to the poll.

It seems that the phrase "moral values" was the key issue for voters, above even the economy and Iraq. Except, if "moral issues" was replaced with specific topics, they fell behind Iraq and the economy.

So what exactly does moral issues mean? To me, it seems that American voters are being bogged down daily in deep meditation on the nature of Kant's kingdom of ends. I can understand.

Seriously, though, its a shame that such a phrase could be used - its incredibly vague and doesn't, in itself, really mean anything. Even Iraq and the economy can be moral issues.

So, I propose that for the next exit poll in 2008, they go all the way and if they think moral issues in the country are "headed in the right direction".

Where have all the pollsters gone?

2004-11-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

Thats a good question. We have a little thing called an election, and a few of their numbers are way off, and the pollsters hide under a rock. All we're left with is a poll or two on lip sinking.

There certainly was a bit of a backlash, and a number of these pollsters seem to be laying low following the results.
Sure, they can blame us blogsters all they want, but we got those faulty numbers from you guys, kiddos.
The Slate article linked to above is a good compendium of why the pollster's justification for the exit polls just doesn't cut it, and I'm compelled to agree.

But don't worry. I'll be here. And even if my posts aren't quite as frequent and as chock full of faulty exit poll data as before, you can bet they'll be as full of faulty irreverent humor as ever.

And speaking of being full of it, did anyone hear that Hugh Grant is going give up acting and become a brilliant scriptwriter?

Moving on...

2004-11-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

It wasn't just enough to have all those exit polls. I think we need polls on the exit polls of the actual polls. How totally post-modern would that be?

While your chewing on that one, it seems that voters are, for the most part, relieved by the decisive election. Not that it was a landslide by any means, but for most people a repeat of 2000 would have been bad news.

And finally, remember all those pundits complaining that the youth didn't come out to vote?
Well, I've got news for them: they did!

Actually, we. I did my part! Did you?

Election Redux

2004-11-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like we finally are starting to get some answers as far as what happened with all those exit polls. Good NYT article, but what I like is the title "Report Says Problems Led to Skewed Surveying Data". Gee, and here I thought the thing that had lead to the skewed survey data was...uhhh....something without problems.

But its ok, because all those polls really didn't effect the election anyway. Of course they didn't. Polls are in newspapers, and nobody reads anymore. I mean, come on! We get all our news through that occipital jack, right? And I didn't see any polling news there.

At any rate, problems with the actual polling machines are worth noting. 2006 will be a test of whether or not we can work out the kinks. Honestly, I'm still skeptical - its kind of too bad we have to sacrifice accountability for technology - theres just something about those nice big levers in the upstate voting machines I've come to love.

And it seems that voting over the internet is still a long way off. Which is ok, since I'll just wait for the singularity, when voting will be like...sooo...2004. We'll vote with our minds.

Of course, I'm sure Diebold would still find a way too...well, I'll keep my mouth shut.

It's my fault.

2004-11-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

Just wanted you to know. Apparently, blogs are to blame for all those exit poll problems.
Nevermind that the exit poll was actually, and remains, incorrect in several states.

Why was it correct in some states and wrong in others? There are questions that need answering, and looking merely towards bloggers isn't going to solve anything. The consortium that makes those exits polls needs to take a long, hard look at their methodology - or this will keep happening every four years.

And if the exit polls don't tell you anything, you can always decide the election via card tricks.