I know the obvious answer. Everybody wants to believe that they are independent thinkers. But analyze yourself a little deeper. Our opinions are constantly being shaped by the world around us. Most of what we think we know was discovered or taught to us by others. We are constantly bombarded by ads and poll results. Why do interest groups and media outlets invest in polls if we are all such independent thinkers that care nothing for the opinions of others? Truth is I believe, most voters have a herd mentality. Irregardless of your political affiliation, most people subconsciously want to vote for a winner. So the polls are used as another way to tell us who we should be voting for. What say you?
2007-11-28 17:14:53 · 11 answers · asked by David M 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Some people are influenced by polls, others aren't
There are people who are American Idol-watching, celebrity gossiping, etc get their opinions from Oprah or Jerry Springer and are mostly politically illiterate. This is accounts for the "swing vote" phenomenon.
People who stand for nothing, will fall for anything
And polls themselves are flawed beyond belief. Ask someone "Would you support an increase of your taxes by 50% to fund universal healthcare?" and you will get alot of "no" responses. Ask the same goofs if they "Think everyone should have healthcare" and they respond "yes" because it sounds more agreeable, yet is deceptive
2007-11-28 17:41:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Polls don't impress me at all. They are meaningless. What counts is the person behind the curtain on election day.
My opinions are formed by careful involvment in the political process. By that, I mean, learning as much as possible about the viable candidates, reading about them, listening to what they have to say. If they are in Congress, what is their voting record..how many votes has he/she missed and why?
I want to know what their "pet projects" are and how much taxpayer money they have wasted or tried to waste.
If the person is a governor, what has he/she done for their own state. What do people in that state have to say. What laws did he/she enact, rescind and why.
I have voted in every election, state, local and federal, since I was first eligible to vote at 21. I am now 67. Nobody has ever formed my opinion for me.... As an American citizen, it is my responsibility to make sure I vote for the most capable person...and I do that by tending to my own research.
Polls are for dummies.
2007-11-28 18:01:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a little bit of a give and take, as I think both are true to some extent. However, I would have to say that anything after the first polls released most likely influence your opinion strongly. The effects of the mass media are astounding.
2007-11-28 17:18:47 · answer #3 · answered by jmb06010 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't drive the polls, because I am rarely asked poll questions. I don't pay much attention to them either.
As for political ads, they usually have a reverse effect on me. In the last congressional election, I voted for the Democratic candidate (I am a Republican) due in some part to the Republican candidate's negative ads, in which he had nothing to offer from himself.
2007-11-28 18:01:37 · answer #4 · answered by wichitaor1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont put alot of stock in the polls...Anybody can call around and get the numbers they are looking for if they know where to call for their polling data, and I dont trust that many of the polls have made the honest effort to collect correct data that will show anything but what the pollsters want them to show, so its a waste of time and money.
2007-11-28 18:34:16 · answer #5 · answered by Mountain Dew 88 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The results of polls always surprise me,and the few times I was polled the questioner was looking for a specific answer or set of answers. They asked questions like. "Do you support candidate X in his efforts to help the poor."
Of course when I see pols that say Candidate x has an overwhelming majority of citizens support in his efforts to help the poor I tend to laugh.
.
2007-11-28 17:38:46 · answer #6 · answered by Homeschool produces winners 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not concerned with polls. I know what i believe and I could care less if it's in the majority or in the minority.
2007-11-28 18:49:12 · answer #7 · answered by - 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Polls mean nothing to me. Besides,when the heck am I gonna get one of those phone calls.
2007-11-28 17:20:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
it seems that neither is true... as the polls don't seem to follow me... and I don't follow them...
two different roads completely on many issues... maybe one day they will intersect...
2007-11-28 17:21:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I still say that my opinion is my own.
I refuse.
I am an American
2007-11-28 17:26:55 · answer #10 · answered by Think 1st 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋