SwiftVets.com Forum Index SwiftVets.com
Service to Country
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Are polls biased?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    SwiftVets.com Forum Index -> Geedunk & Scuttlebutt
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
fr11
Seaman


Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 154

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 7:31 pm    Post subject: Are polls biased? Reply with quote

I read a post in this forum about a month ago that most election polls were biased and favored Democrats. The person said they couldn't remember why, so I figured they were just trying to make themselves feel better about the fact that Bush was losing at that time.

Well, I came across some interesting information today. In an article written by John Zogby (CEO of Zogby International - zogby.com), he admits that most polls, including his own, use a "party weight". In 2000, the percentage of registered voters who actually voted was 39% Democrat, 35% Republican, and 26% Independents.

So that's the spread that Zogby and other polls use when determining their numbers, which obviously gives an advantage to Kerry. Polls assume that more Democrats will vote, which isn't necessarily true. It's sad that we can't even depend on polls to be unbiased! Sad

In fact, a June poll taken by the LA Times used a spread of 38% Democrats and 25% Republicans. The poll showed Kerry winning - what a shock!!!

The good news is that Bush is now winning in the polls, even though they are slanted againsy him! It's comforting, but we still need to keep up the fight to make sure Kerry continues sinking!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
rb325th
Admiral


Joined: 21 Aug 2004
Posts: 1334

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 7:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most Polls can be scewed by the questions asked. Many times questions are asked in such a way that it gives you little choice but to answer the way the ideology of the Pollster wants you to.
There is only one Poll that counts and that is the one in November! So get out Register and Vote!!

By the way, moving to Geedunk shortly.
_________________
U.S. Army 1983-1995, 11C1P/11H2P NBTDT
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gilliam
Seaman Apprentice


Joined: 09 Aug 2004
Posts: 97

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 7:38 pm    Post subject: Re: Are polls biased? Reply with quote

fr11 wrote:

Well, I came across some interesting information today. In an article written by John Zogby (CEO of Zogby International - zogby.com), he admits that most polls, including his own, use a "party weight". In 2000, the percentage of registered voters who actually voted was 39% Democrat, 35% Republican, and 26% Independents.

So that's the spread that Zogby and other polls use when determining their numbers, which obviously gives an advantage to Kerry. Polls assume that more Democrats will vote, which isn't necessarily true.


Actually, it is true. Here is another good article on the subject:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Poll%20Differences%20Sept%206.htm
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Wolfgang
Ensign


Joined: 14 Aug 2004
Posts: 61

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 10:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Remember that Zogby did the best job of calling 1996 and 2000 presidential elections. I think his cautionary notes are quite sound; but Bush is still in the lead.

NO room for complacency!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    SwiftVets.com Forum Index -> Geedunk & Scuttlebutt All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group