Do the polls follow the propaganda or does the propaganda follow the polls?

[kentuck]

A question much along the lines of "Does the flag follow the dollar or does the dollar follow the flag"?

The poll that is being parroted at the moment shows that 46% of the people support repeal of healthcare reform and only 40 support keeping the healthcare reform. I wonder if they called it "Obamacare" in their questions?

It seems to me that after a good propaganda campaign, one can get a poll to say just about whatever they want?

Just a thought...

[MineralMan]

1. I think it works both ways, depending on the issue.

And, as you rightfully point out, the wording of the questions in the poll is very important.

[SoCalDem]

2. The other numbers in that poll were 40 & 14..which equals 54%

So 54% either like it or are not upset enough to vote against it.. But the agenda the media is pushing needs to be negative so they push the negative, even if it's less than impressive.

Take apart that 46% further & you'll find that at least HALF of those respondents are probably republican/teabag people who vote against anything Obama, even if it helps them, so we end up with probably a little more than 20% who may be against it & not be ideologues.

[jotsy]

3. True. Polls can be made to get desired results.

As to the top billed question? I gotta go with the propaganda being the precursor and the polls a way to measure the impact of said propaganda. Certainly phrasing is a pivotal pillar here, but so is demographics in terms of geography and age. Between all of those variables, and there are more, the results are never compelling enough for me to accept them as a genuine reflection of public sentiment. As to why the squawking noggins push them so is rule 101 according to work 'em over Rover: perception management.

An interesting inquiry, thanx.
Recommended.

[jotsy]

5. See?

[old guy]

4. Agree.

Propaganda then a poll to legitimize it. I have a bias here as I rarely, if ever, put credence in any poll even if it supports my position.