newsobserver.com projects - Civitas defends its polling - Comments

Re: Civitas defends its polling

DustinIngalls — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:37:46 -0400

I call bull. Yes, Civitas' questions provoke a gut reaction, but it's clearly meant to be slanted one way, so what they're trying to find out is: do Republicans' arguments sway voters one way, and then they pass the results off as what the people really think. Their polls don't present a replication of the political environment of an election, where you get visceral arguments from both sides on various issues and voters get to decide which extremity tugs their heartstrings more. Real pollsters who are earnestly trying to find out which issues and arguments move voters use split samples with arguments from both sides.

Re: Civitas defends its polling

tangoz — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 20:32:30 -0500

riverrd can you please back up your statements of fact with some facts?

Would you instead believe a poll paid for by let's say the MoveOn.org or the DailyKos?

And calling Republicans or conservatives names is just one of your left wing distraction techniques. If you can prove a point with atleast 2 to 3 unrelated sources then you have backing. Even if the context is not right you still can make a valid point. It is time for liberals and progressives to step up to the plate. yes you guys won on many different levels. Other than distraction from you failures, how is the continual smears and attacks against us helpful?

Re: Civitas is bias in its polling

riverrd — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:29:18 -0500

Civitas and johnny locke are both just fronts for the MINORITY Flat-Earth republicans. You can not trust their so-called research nor their so-called "findings". And yet the Corporate Media reports on them and provides them coverage like they really matter!!

Re: Civitas defends its polling

FFC1304 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:40:37 -0500

Ive often thought the ELON polling was a little spongey at best...they need to delve into REAL questions more, instead of generic, lightweight stuff.

Civitas and John Locke are the groups that phrase things much better for the real answers.

With all the embedded lieberal democrat domination in NC, anything else is totally refreshing, but most of the imbeciles are just too dumb to get it.
Thats why NC remains so oppressed by the party of SLAVERY.

Re: Civitas defends its polling

robdarich — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:57:46 -0500

yeah it's (heavily) republican leaning. I didn't think they were hiding their intentions, it's informative and useful and accessible - it seems fair. (not to say it seems balanced, or non-partisan, just... fair)

I don't think Elon has the same usefulness. But that's just me, thinking.

Re: Civitas defends its polling

jerimee — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:25:23 -0500

civitas and locke have always been candid and honest about their partnership to promote the gop and gop candidates - hayes openly admits that his polling is designed to reinforce gop messaging

Civitas defends its polling

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:39:09 -0500

The Civitas Institute is defending its polling.

After reading critiques of the conservative think tank's question wording on Dome, pollster Chris Hayes wrote to say that its mission is being misunderstood.

Hayes said that the think tank is trying to determine the political science on a particular issue, not the social science. While the Elon University Poll aims to find out the complex thoughts people have on the death penalty, Civitas wants to know how they'll vote.

"You could ask people a lengthy survey on their feelings about the death penalty and under which conditions they favor what punishment and get a whole series of what-ifs and partial realities," he said. "But then ask the students of UNC-Chapel Hill if they want to see the two guys who murdered Eve Carson to be executed and you probably get a different answer."

He said Civitas is looking for the "gut reaction" that causes voters to favor one candidate or issue — one reason it polls likely voters and not all residents, as Elon does.

"The Elon poll is more after the answer to the why question," he said. "We're not. Politics is not played on ambivalence. Elections are decided by finding out the issues that move people."