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I was just called by an NBC pollster
nbc ^ | 12/10/05 | me

Posted on 12/10/2005 8:28:04 AM PST by alnick

I was just called by an NBC pollster. I found it interesting that I was first asked if I think the country is headed in the right or wrong direction, and only after I answered "right," did the man ask my age, and then tell me, "Oh, I'm sorry. The computer is screening for age groups and we're not looking for opinions from your age group at this time. Maybe we'll call you for your opinion later."

Now, it seems to me that they're screening for right way/wrong way opinions as opposed to age group. Why else would they have asked that question before asking my age.

I suspect the computer is programmed to allow a certain, lower, percentage of right way responses than wrong way, so they can report that the American people believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, and use that poll "result" as a club with which to beat this adminstration.

THere are many things I believe are bringing this country in the wrong direction. I mean, the media themselves, including NBC, are the very ones I hold most responsible for the country headed the wrong way, but I was not about to give them ammunition to make things even worse.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: bias; fakebutaccurate; liesdamnliesandpolls; mediabias; nbc; nbcnews; polling; polls
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To: alnick
Probably had too many "right directions" in the sample!! Add 10% to these phony polls and you will be close to the truth.

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

81 posted on 12/10/2005 9:45:21 AM PST by bray (Merry Christ-x)
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To: alnick
THere are many things I believe are bringing this country in the wrong direction. I mean, the media themselves, including NBC, are the very ones I hold most responsible for the country headed the wrong way...

The same forces in the media who are pursuing a journalistic jihad against all things conservative, gladly run cover for the liberal agenda. They are indeed largely responsible for taking the country in the wrong direction.

82 posted on 12/10/2005 9:50:39 AM PST by Starboard
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To: MikeHu

In short, the mainstream media has become the largest and most powerful extortion racket -- making the teachers' union and university professors look like rank con-artists.

No wonder they are leading the cries, "Free Saddam!"


83 posted on 12/10/2005 9:51:27 AM PST by MikeHu
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To: All

Here is how it works.
First they decide what result they want.
EX: A majority of the American people believe Bush is dishonest.

Second they do a preliminary poll.
EX: Say only 25% of the people agree

Third, they make demographic adjustments.
EX: Phone polls are less likely to sample democrats, young people and minorities so lets add 6% to our numbers that gets us 31%

Fourth, The propaganda blitz. Every night for 3 weeks some story questioning Bush's honesty

Fifth, re-poll, as a result of propaganda blitz
this gets the number up to 40%

Sixth, Re-state the question to try and find the best wording
EX: Question: Would you say if someone told you something which you later found out to be false, that you might think they were dishonest. Do honest people say things which are not true?

Seventh: You then characterize the results of the poll, without stating the actual question posed.

EX: CNN Poll reports, A majority of American's believe President Bush is dishonest. Actual question If a politician told you things which you later found out to not be true, would you say that politician was honest?

Eighth Use the poll every where and any where you can.
No press conference is complete without a reporter asking the president "Why do you think a majority of the American people think you are a liar?"


84 posted on 12/10/2005 9:51:40 AM PST by Jonah Johansen ("Comming soon to a neighborhood near you")
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To: alnick

I've done polling before, and though it was several years ago, from my experience I would say you're impression is false. That sounds like far too complex of a system.

In all likelihood, no matter what age you gave, you wouldn't have been in the "age group" they were looking for. It was just an excuse to cut the interview short.

I also have a hard time seeing what benefit ABC would get from polling such a narrow demographic. If it was the AARP it would make sense, but not ABC News. There would be nothing newsworthy from such a poll.


85 posted on 12/10/2005 9:54:44 AM PST by counterpunch
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To: johnny7

You made the mistake of answering in English.

-

"No hablo Ingles..."

"Excellent. I'll input you as a "no" then. NBC thanks you so much for participating!..."

"Que?"

"OK"

"Thanks again!"


86 posted on 12/10/2005 9:55:06 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network (Hyphenated-Americans unite!!)
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To: Reactionary
>"Maybe the good liberals are fishing for data in their usual fashion.

This used to be a problem. It is now our asset. They actually believe their own propoganda is factual.
Even more, & bigger days of reality check bounces are coming their way soon!

ABC CBS NBC CNN its all the SAME, Propaganda.
Might as well call them all AmeriJazerra.
Show them how much Gravitas Hugh Bris has. Vote with your remote! Shut down the Alphabet channels.

He's Got A Plan
Zippo Hero

Kill A Commie For Mommie
Seven Dead Monkeys Page O Tunes

87 posted on 12/10/2005 10:01:53 AM PST by rawcatslyentist (Why waste time learning when ignorance is instantaneous---Hobbes the Tiger)
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To: alnick

If they say they are from NBC tell them you don't speak to Communist.


88 posted on 12/10/2005 10:03:35 AM PST by bmwcyle (Evolution is a myth -- Libertarians just won't evolve into Conservatives.)
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To: MikeHu

Does this have a familiar ring, "Free Barabbas!"?


89 posted on 12/10/2005 10:06:46 AM PST by MikeHu
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To: alnick

email them and provide them with a link to this posting


90 posted on 12/10/2005 10:07:21 AM PST by muir_redwoods (Free Sirhan Sirhan, after all, the bastard who killed Mary Jo Kopechne is walking around free)
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To: MikeHu

They were incited by the Pharisees (union officials) and the Scribes (mainstream media).

The usual suspects from time immemorial.


91 posted on 12/10/2005 10:12:51 AM PST by MikeHu
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To: alnick
Cherry picking results, it must take them quite some time doing this when what they report never truly reflects the opinion of the majority.

I wonder if Bill Burkett was your pollster.
92 posted on 12/10/2005 10:17:08 AM PST by TheForceOfOne
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To: dubyaismypresident

"Conservatives need Kristol's advice like America needs the French."

When I see or hear almost anything from kristol, I need my Gold Bond Powder, because I know it will cause an itch.

Smarmy. Squishy. Weasel. Spineless. Gutless. Mouse nuts. I'm trying but can't quite get a single descriptor for billy girl.


93 posted on 12/10/2005 10:27:08 AM PST by USS Alaska (Nuke the terrorist savages - In Honor of Standing Wolf)
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To: E=MC<sup>2</sup>
Maybe you should have then said "Oh, I'm sorry, I lied about my age...what age are you looking for exactly?".

You are not up to date with today's terminology. People don't lie. They MISSPOKE.

94 posted on 12/10/2005 10:32:36 AM PST by jslade (What is "social justice" but enforced lack of justice for those who do productive work?)
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To: Erik Latranyi
Don't deceive yourself.

I’m not deceived – but just in case the minimum wage phone operator was new …
95 posted on 12/10/2005 10:34:27 AM PST by R. Scott (Humanity i love you because when you're hard up you pawn your Intelligence to buy a drink.)
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To: USS Alaska

One of the courses I took for my Sociology degree was on how to properly construct a poll – and one section dealt with what NOT to do. It covered how a poll can be slanted to obtain desired results. I think many polls today are based on that chapter.


96 posted on 12/10/2005 10:37:10 AM PST by R. Scott (Humanity i love you because when you're hard up you pawn your Intelligence to buy a drink.)
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To: MikeHu

By getting us to condemn and crucify the innocent, while exonerating and liberating true evil, they demonstrate their control and power over the masses.

That is Satan's delight.


97 posted on 12/10/2005 10:38:28 AM PST by MikeHu
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To: alnick

Are you of voting age?


98 posted on 12/10/2005 11:10:27 AM PST by varon (Allegiance to the constitution, always. Allegiance to a political party, never.)
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To: varon
Are you of voting age?

Well into my 40s. :-)

99 posted on 12/10/2005 12:57:29 PM PST by alnick
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To: JustaCowgirl

"This would absolutely not happen in a valid sample survey. These people are deliberately skewing the results."

That's not entirely true. I used to work for a company that die phone surveys, and they have quotas of many different categories. For example - the client wants a 250 respondents who think "right way," and 250 respondents who think "wrong way." Then these 250 have to be broken down into a certain number male and female, and certain age groups. It depends on how your calling goes, and who is willing to talk to you. There were many times when we would have an evening of getting lots of women to complete surveys, and our supervisor would have to stop everyone and make us ask for a male. (Not fun for a female!!!) Most times our demographic questions were at the end of the survey, but if they are at the beginning, they are screening questions. SO I think those questions are valid - why do a whole survey only to find out it's not the group you needed.

On the other hand, I think the real skewing comes from the way the questions are asked, no matter who they ask. That "is the country headed in the right direction or wrong direction" is open to so many interpretations. The person who answers it may feel a certain way for a reason, and when the network interprets it, they will make it out to mean something entirely different.


100 posted on 12/10/2005 1:29:52 PM PST by smalltownslick
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