[PJ-Comix]

I think the subgroup of people who will answer their phones and respond to polling questions is far from representative of the general population.

[Paladin2]

I never do phone surveys about anything.

[rockinqsranch]

Agree.

[Afterguard]

I havent answered a phone call from someone i dont know in, well, probably decades.

[Mears]

The only way someone can get into my building is calling me and getting buzzed in-——so I HAVE to answer the phone-—but I quickly hang up if it’s a poll,charity, or sales pitch.

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[Starboard]

I think you are correct. Somebody should do a study to find out what kind of people respond to polling questions and what their political tendencies/leanings are. Chances are most of them are idle, and not very productive people (i.e., they are the Takers, not Makers).

[E. Pluribus Unum]

They only get through once, for about five seconds.

[metmom]

Exactly.

I used to answer the polls, but then it occurred to me that even though they say it’s confidential, they called my phone number and when I learned they can reverse search the person based on the phone number, then I realized their *confidential* claim was a bunch of baloney.

I decided that I am not revealing my political position to someone who has no qualms about going after people they disagree with.

[TBP]

My guess is that a lot of the people who respond are teh activists on both sides.

[Reverend Wright]

I was surprised at the low response rate as well.

My understanding is the campaign polls have a response rate of about 10 percent (like you said)

It’s not clear to me if they are calling the same 5000 people over and over until they get a 500 sample. Or if they just keep calling more and more people until they get to a 500 sample.

For avoiding a non-response bias, even a 10 percent response rate is risky

[outofsalt]

I lie to pollsters. That is, when I do answer. GIGO

[SaxxonWoods]

My big takeaway is that people tend to trash polls that don’t agree with their hopes, and laud polls that do.

As far as actual polling accuracy, it’s all over the lot.

[trebb]

I rarely answer my phone if I don't recognize who is calling me or the phone number. And those rare times I do answer and realize the stranger on the other end is going to eat into my time, I just hang up immediately.

Same here...and, the last time I picked up an unknown number, it was another NRC donation plea and i never donate over the phone for anything where I didn't initiate the call...asked them repeatedly to not call and take me off but it just increases (No good deed goes unpunished...). I told the last one my finances had changes and I was moving out of my house and couldn't help them anymore (I still donate to individual campaigns) and I said i was almost sorry i did donate because ever since, i get a LOT of phone calls/text/SMS messages and over 50-60 emails a day...

[Fido969]

I don’t tell them anything.

I figure once they know how I really think, they be looking for a way to use that to scr#w me. Facebook does it with their advertising. Politician will do it with their polls information.