GALLUP: Banking Reform Sells Better When "Wall Street" Is Mentioned - regulation supported by 50/36.

[jefferson_dem]

Banking Reform Sells Better When "Wall Street" Is Mentioned
Americans favor regulating Wall Street banks by 50% to 36%
by Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans are about evenly divided on the merits of giving the federal government new powers to regulate large banks and major financial institutions; however, they offer greater support when the issue is more specifically framed as regulating "Wall Street banks."



When Wall Street is not mentioned, net public support (percentage in favor minus percentage opposed) for banking reform legislation is +3 points, but when it is mentioned, net support is +14.

Gallup measured support for enhanced federal regulation of banking using both wordings in its April 17-18 Daily tracking. A random half-sample of respondents was asked the "Wall Street" wording; the other half was asked about banks and major financial institutions, generally.

On both questions, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to support banking reform. Seven in 10 Democrats favor the proposed new federal regulatory powers, regardless of the wording. By contrast, Republicans show greater support for reform when "Wall Street" is invoked than when it is not (35% vs. 22%).



<SNIP>

http://www.gallup.com/poll/127448/Banking-Reform-Sells-Better-Wall-Street-Mentioned.aspx

[RandomThoughts]

1. So that means nothing. The margin for error is plus minus 4 percent.

one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points.


The difference might mean nothing.

Since 4% is the margin for error.

If 4% off in each poll in opposite directions, you could flip the results for how many favor reform.

[Teaser]

2. doesn't mean nothing

just means you can say it with 90% confidence rather than 95% confidence. That does mean something: it assigns a probability that one is right, given certain assumptions about the underlying distributions.

[RandomThoughts]

4. You do make a valid point.

Statistically, with many more polls, it might mean something. And it is possible it might mean something.


Honestly there are probably 5 out of 100 people that only heard reform on the question about bank reform.

[marmar]

3. I don't get why the poll is just about even when Wall Street isn't mentioned.....

..... The "Horrid Big Government" mindf**k campaign has been a smashing success. A good portion of the American public lacks critical thinking skills.

[SkyDaddy7]

6. You NAILED it!!!!

"...the American public lacks critical thinking skills."

[Kind of Blue]

5. It's a wonder that people have to be reminded of Wall Street. n/t

[DrToast]

7. WTF is wrong with people? How can so few people be iin favor of it?

Are you serious? A majority of Republicans oppose it?

[Stuckinthebush]

9. Because Fox News and their leadership oppose it

That's why. They march lock step with corporate interests and have no clue what they are doing. The USA is full of idiots.

[Dr Morbius]

8. I don't doubt it.

Ask people if the law should be able to punish Wall Street, and most will say yes.
Ask people if the government should be able to punish Wall Street, and the numbers will be quite different.

The law, of course, IS the government.

[NJmaverick]

10. I hope all the Dems are taking note of this important framing issue

and I will bet FAUX and the rest will NEVER mention Wall Street reform.

[HCE1947]

11. Tie Mitch and his buddies to Wall Street, TARP, and everything Bushie

Wall Street loves Repubs. This is a winner.