Let me explain. Polling organizations work tirelessly to make sure their poll accurately reflects the demographic profile of all Americans. But when you are asking political questions, that poll can be almost meaningless because the political process is driven by voters, not by all Americans. Consider that in this year's primaries, only 17.4% of eligible voters bothered to cast ballots.
This smaller group of Americans drives the electoral process and views political issues differently. For example, when Americans were asked whether President Clinton should resign from office, those likely to vote in November answered yes almost twice as much as those who were unlikely to vote. And Congress is hearing from these motivated voters about the current impeachment inquiry. The motivated voters have a disproportionate influence on the election and the political process.
But also be aware of the question. One caller to Moody's Open Line radio program recently said she was polled. The question was: "In light of the fact that the Kenneth Starr investigation has cost nearly $40 million dollars and taken nearly 4 years, are you ready for the investigation to end?" In trying to give information, I believe the polling firm biased the answer. And when she said that she thought that President Clinton should tell the truth, they put her answer down as "no opinion."
Are polls accurate? Yes, they are statistically accurate. But that doesn't mean they always accurately reflect the opinions of the American people.
I'm Kerby Anderson of Probe Ministries, and that's my opinion.
© 1998 Probe Ministries International