Polling Data and Other Lies

Once again, blatantly ripped off from Hot Air. Here's the source material from The Politico.

Essentially, a poll taken by Democracy Corps shows that Rush Limbaugh has unfavorable ratings among the infamous "likely voters" of 51% (favorable is 23%), second only to the 59% unfavorable rating held by President George W. Bush (who has a favorable rating of 31%). Others in the same survey include Newt Gingrich (25% favorable: 48% unfavorable), and Sarah Palin ( 41% favorable: 47% unfavorable).

To paraphrase the guys from "The 40-Year Old Virgin": You know how I know this polling data is bullshit?

Senator John McCain.
48% favorable.
37% unfavorable.

Let's make it clear: I have no idea who "Democracy Corps" is and what their agenda consists of; but any poll that shows John "Maverick McClusterfuck" McCain with a favorable rating higher than Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, Fox News AND the generic label of "Conservative" just HAS to be completely FUBAR. I might believe that McCain beats "generic Republican" by 11 points, but the others? You're shitting me here.

This goes way beyond the "I don't believe the numbers" shadow of a doubt. This is well into "Goddamnit, I'm pissed that you think I'm that fucking stupid" territory. There's no way in hell that this polling data wasn't HEAVILY weighted towards Democrats. I'm thinking something like a 60/20/20 split of Dem/Rep/Ind "likely voters". Plus, the data's referenced as being from "last fall". That's a big span of time. Are we talking September? October? November?

And before anyone starts in on Allahpundit for "Eeyorism", please remember that these aren't his polling numbers. Plus, he's looking at this with a New York State of Mind, which makes the distaste for social cons shown in this poll believable. I do think that he's chuckling at being able to throw out more red meat to the blogosphere, but he ain't the guy responsible for this crap. He's just the messenger, so please don't turn the comments into a "two-minute hate" on the man.

One thing I'd like to know: Where the fuck was this poll taken? David Frum's office? Christopher Buckley's vacation cottage? Peggy Noonan's favorite male strip club?

posted by Russ from Winterset at 05:51 PM

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