The MSM’s Refried Polls

Mickey Kaus Columnist
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Refried Polling: You mean that widely-hailed CBS/NYT poll showing voters had “soured” on the Tea Party was (as Mark Tapscott points out) based on reinterviews of people who had been polled twice previously? That has to inject some kind of bias, no? By the third interview, the respondents may be acting more like professional interviewees in a year-long focus group than random voters-on-the-street. You’d also think the people who would even  let themselves be reached the third time–as opposed to those who don’t answer the phone–would share some characteristics. Maybe they follow the news more closely, think more highly of CBS and the New York Times, are more susceptible to MSM influence, feel they are more responsible types, etc. That could incline them more toward an anti-Teeper point of view, given recent coverage. Refrying beans deepens the flavor. The same with repolling? … Or not! Maybe there are other factors that go in the other direction–I don’t know. But it’s hard to believe the results are equivalent to a fresh survey of random folks. … Take it away, Mystery Pollster. …
P.S.: The New York Times’ consistently cocoonish polling operation is one reason I can’t get too excited about Fox News. Fox’s slant is crude and obvious. The Times’ is subtler and better-hidden (though less subtle after being Zernikated).  Which is worse? Probably Fox. But it’s not simple. …
Mickey Kaus