Grumpy about overly-simplistic polling

[andrewducker]

I do wish that polls wouldn't ask if people thought that the PM was handling something "Well" or "Badly". Because two people answering "Badly" might mean completely different things by it.

Also, me saying "Immigration is important to me" means the opposite of what a Reform voter would mean by it.

This because of reporting of how many people think that Starmer is handling the Iran situation well or badly. When I can guarantee that some of the "badly" think we should be bombing Iran right now, and some think that we shouldn't be involved even slightly.

Comments

[calimac]

I think of what I would say if asked if I agree that we should "Make America Great Again." Yes I do! And the very first step in making America great again is to get rid of Trump and all his minions.

Similarly but more consequently, I was actually polled on whether I thought George H.W. Bush was handling Gulf War I well or badly. I said I thought he was handling it very well. What disconcerted me was that the results, showing that most people said that, were sold as evidence he was a sure bet for re-election. Then when he lost the pollsters were baffled. This is because they hadn't asked me - or anyone else - the next question. "Are you planning on voting for him in 92"? No! "Why not?" Because I disagree with his economic policies.