Why Is the Left So Threated By My Poll?

[libertyworld]

Why Is the Left So Threated By My Poll?

By John Ziegler

It has been quite a strange couple of weeks since I decided to commission a Zogby poll of Obama voters. I chose to do this at great personal expense to determine whether interviews I did on Election Day (for a forthcoming documentary I am producing on the media coverage of the election) were indeed representative of the larger population.

In a nutshell, here’s what happened next: I suddenly become a favorite target of the Internet’s left-wing attack machine. Zogby was forced to defend the poll and two days later, his organization partially abandoned it. The video of Obama voters trying to answer the same questions that were asked by the Zogby poll has been viewed over 1.6 million times on YouTube. After Zogby balked, I managed to to commission a new poll that included both Obama and McCain voters as well as a couple of added twists.

What was most remarkable about the left’s extreme reaction to the original Zogby poll was that it was utterly devoid of even the pretense of addressing the real issues that the nationwide telephone survey exposed. Instead of debating the implications of the results (in my view they clearly revealed a massive amount of media-induced ignorance on the part of the voting public), they chose to focus on the questioners rather than the actual answers from Obama voters — clearly, the responses they gave made them feel remarkably insecure. They also completely missed the original intent in asking these questions. It was not to make voters look stupid but rather to measure the impact of media bias on what they knew, or thought they knew.

Essentially, the left-wing blogosphere went all “Joe the Plumber” on me and John Zogby. I took the heat. He, apparently, could not.

Next, I issued a challenge on national TV to liberals to duplicate the Zogby results with McCain voters (and offered to pay for it myself if McCain voters didn’t outperform Obama voters on the “quiz”). Despite loads of belly-aching from the left that Zogby only polled Obama voters no legitimate takers took me up on my offer. So I decided to go ahead and do it myself. Zogby, seemingly intimidated by the firestorm of negative reaction, declined to take my money to do virtually the identical poll that his company was thrilled to do just a week before.

After discovering that other polling outlets were similarly frightened by the prospect of having the Obama-backers harass them, I was able to find a reputable one that was not. If ever there was proof of the adage “Be careful what you wish for…” the results of the ensuing survey are it. The Obama-backers are going to have to reignite their spin/assault machine of rationalization in a huge way.

The conclusions that can be drawn from this new poll are multiple and really rather staggering. In general, McCain voters were significantly more well-informed than their counterparts, and there is overwhelming evidence that the gaps in knowledge are directly related to the media sources they were exposed to.

Here are just some of the “highlights” of the Wilson Research Strategies poll of 1,000 voters whose demographic breakdown was an exact replica of the total voting population and whose results totally vindicate the controversial Zogby poll:

35 % of McCain voters got 10 or more of 13 multiple choice questions correct.

18% of Obama voters got 10 or more of 13 questions correct.

McCain voters knew which party controls congress by a 63-27 margin.

Obama voters got the “congressional control” question wrong by 43-41.

Those that got “congressional control” correct voted 56-43 for McCain.

Those that got “congressional control” wrong voted 65-35 for Obama.

Those “exposed” to FOX News got “congressional control” correct 64-25 (+39)

Those ‘exposed” to CNN got “Congressional control” correct 48-38 (+10)

Those “exposed” to network news got “Congressional control” correct 48-39 (+9)

Those “exposed” to print media got “Congressional control” correct 52-37 (+15)

Those “exposed” to MSNBC got “Congressional control” correct 55-35 (+20)

Those “exposed” to talk radio got “Congressional control” correct 61-29 (+32)

Voters in the South had the best response rate on “Congressional control” (+22)

Voters in the Northeast had the worst response rate on “Congressional control” (+9)

Those “exposed” to FOX News voted 70-29 for McCain.

Those “exposed” to CNN voted 63-37 for Obama.

Those “exposed” to MSNBC voted 73-26 for Obama.

Those “exposed” to network newscasts voted 62-37 for Obama.

Those “exposed” to national newspapers voted 64-36 for Obama

Those “exposed” to talk radio voted 61-38 for McCain.

Those that could associate Bill Ayers’ name/story with Obama voted 52-48 for McCain.

Those that knew Obama had made negative comments about “coal power plants” voted 76-24 for McCain.

Those that knew Obama had his opponents knocked off the ballot in his first campaign voted 66-34 for McCain.

McCain voters did poorly (only 42% correct) on the Keating question and, in general, the voters did universally worse on questions where the negative information was about their candidate.

Women under 55 did worse than they might have by guessing on four of the thirteen questions yet 95% of them knew that Palin was the candidate with a pregnant teenage daughter. — Even 95% of those in this demographic group who didn’t know “Congressional control” got this question correct.

Those “exposed” to MSNBC scored 90% correct on the three Palin questions (including an incredible 98% on the pregnant teenage daughter question), while those not exposed to MSNBC averaged 84% correct on those three questions.

http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/12/03/jziegler_obama/

[InHuman]

So, what poll, and what questions?

[The Silver Thong]

I really can't say for sure but wow as far as leaning as far left or right you sure don't leave room for doubt. Yes the media likes Obama, he made history or don't you get that. He will be a media star for some time to come. American politics and it's grand standing makes a run for the presidency look like a 1 year NFL half time show. The media will pic fav's no doubt, when the "right" news is reported it means money not accurate information. Obama has to prove himself, I agree...

[Lord Umbarger]

American politics and it's grand standing makes a run for the presidency look like a 1 year NFL half time show.

I could not agree more! It's difficult to dig up all the facts on any candidate with the way we make a circus of it. Of course, I am still backing my 2008 pick and I hope that he gets a fair shake come 2012.

Old enough to have gathered wizdom!

Unqusestionably American born!

Part black, part white, all mouse!

Mickey! The Un-impeachable choice!

I really do think that Mickey Mouse can do a better job than the ones we had to choose from this time around.

Is it too early to start the 2012 election campagning? Just wondering.

[The Silver Thong]

I could not agree more! It's difficult to dig up all the facts on any candidate with the way we make a circus of it. Of course, I am still backing my 2008 pick and I hope that he gets a fair shake come 2012.

Old enough to have gathered wizdom!

Unqusestionably American born!

Part black, part white, all mouse!

Mickey! The Un-impeachable choice!

I really do think that Mickey Mouse can do a better job than the ones we had to choose from this time around.

Is it too early to start the 2012 election campagning? Just wondering.

I have to say though I do like watching the U.S. election process, makes Canada's seem so dull. Well till we almost had a goverment take over that is lol.

Age is a factor but one I can over look as freash and new ideas might be brought forth with youth.

American born, well that to seems like something I could over look as I would want the best man not the the tallest flag waver.

Part black part white is a non issue for me, Obama has a greater challanges to over come, more now than when Bush had to deal with 9/11. I bet this economic fall out will inavertantly kill more than 3000 people.

Mickey the un-impeachable??? Don't get it. Bush is the un-impeachable one and Obama hasn't even taken the seat yet.

You can't just jump to the hopes of the 2012 election bringing back a repulican goverment. Obama might just do a good job. I have doubt but I'm going to go on innocent till giulty. I do hope Obama can do what he says cause Lord Umbarger, the U.S. needs strong leadership right now. Fingers crossed my friend.

[Lt_Ripley]

a right wing research company and Faux news.. lmao.. ok yeah the left is 'threatened' if that makes you feel better.

[MasterPo]

Yea, I heard about this poll weeks ago.

Very telling.

Several reporters and commentators had sent cameras and mics to interview people on the street and the answers were very similar.

Basically people voted for Obama because he wasn't Bush. The rest really didn't matter.

[ninjadude]

Basically people voted for Obama because he wasn't Bush. The rest really didn't matter.

So you are agreeing that McCain was really going to be Bush's third term then, right?

[MasterPo]

So you are agreeing that McCain was really going to be Bush's third term then, right?

As much as you're saying the Messiah is the Clinton's third term.

Edited December 7, 2008 by MasterPo