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Don't Bet on Obama's Likeability Rating
American Thinker ^ | 10/10/2012 | Frank Burke

Posted on 10/10/2012 7:40:27 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Despite declining approval numbers, pundits are opining that Obama will be re-elected because of his personal likeability rating. Lacking a background in market research, they are taking at face value a question with much more subtle implications.

In legitimate polling, three major factors include the sample, the questions, and the methodology (manner in which the poll is administered). To provide valid results, the sample must be truly representative of the target audience. For example, a purported "national sample" that skews heavily toward Democratic or Republican voters does not meet this criterion.

Also, a sample drawn from the general population for the purposes of predicting the outcome of a national election will not be as effective as one drawn from a sample of likely voters. Another consideration is the size of the sample. If properly constructed, it follows that the larger the sample size, the more valid the results will be.

The second element, the questionnaire, must be carefully composed so as to avoid presenting the questions in a manner likely to prejudice the response. For instance, the question, "Despite the dangers involved, do you favor the early release of drugs under consideration by the FDA in critical cases?" is much more a leading question than "In critical cases, do you favor the early release of drugs under consideration by the FDA?"

Even with the best intentions, experienced researchers can pose questions in such a way that they are prejudicial, misleading, or poorly understood. Because of this, ethical researchers will pre-test questionnaires on a control group to ensure that the questions are effective.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: likeability; obama
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1 posted on 10/10/2012 7:40:35 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

He’s an annoying, hectoring mocker who puts up strawmen then says in that high pitched “they want to....” blah blah blah.

Same cadence, same jokey whine.


2 posted on 10/10/2012 7:43:52 AM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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To: SeekAndFind

He has ALWAYS come across to me as a smart a$$ punk of no substance. It is unlikely to me that a vast portion of our populace, maybe even a majority, did not reach the same conclusion early on.


3 posted on 10/10/2012 7:59:35 AM PDT by RatRipper (Obama, YOU LIE!!! . . .again and again and again and again, ad infinitum. . . .)
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To: SeekAndFind
OK, I'm pretty dumb, don't pick up on social clues, etc.

So somebody please explain to me: What is likeable about Baarack Hussein Obama? Hitler must have had a certain charm or charisma about him to be freely elected, but would you call him "likeable"?

4 posted on 10/10/2012 7:59:35 AM PDT by chesley (Vast deserts of political ignorance makes liberalism possible - James Lewis)
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To: P.O.E.
That Obama is “likable” is a canard. I loathe Bill Clinton, but I always have conceded that many people are dazzled by his personality, regardless of whether they like his politics. I believe nothing of the sort about Barack Obama. People are simply wary of saying they don't like Obama because they don't want to be called racist.
5 posted on 10/10/2012 8:06:41 AM PDT by utahagen
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To: SeekAndFind
I honestly believe his personal likability would be 10-15 points lower if he was white, even if every other attribute was the same. There a lot of people who might feel comfortable saying they don't agree with Obama on policy and don't plan to vote for him, but saying they don't like him as a person hits a little too close to opening them up to charges of being racist (at least in our hypersensitive society). So you always seems to get the modifier, even on a lot of conservative talk, “I like Obama as a person, but I disagree with his policy...”
6 posted on 10/10/2012 8:12:02 AM PDT by apillar
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To: chesley

RE: What is likeable about Baarack Hussein Obama?

The answer I think is the way America has been DIVIDED into those who have a stake in the running of the government, and those who don’t ( a very dangerous trend I might add ).

The latter like him because they see him as their “champion” who will put the evil rich in their place. He is “likeable” for instance by the young folks because he promises to help them with their college tuition, promises to pay for their healthcare if they cannot afford it, and promises to take care of them when they do not have jobs.

The Obamaphone lady in Cleveland likes Obama because she got a free phone.

See here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAOwJvTOio

Also, we should not underestimated the power of the Mainstream media REPEATEDLY telling us he is likeable.

John Hawkins surmises thusly:

And it got me thinking about this word “like.” What is this liking that we do — or are told to do or assert that we do — these days? You can “like” somebody on Facebook. It’s a social thing. Politically, it’s about liberals. Liberals are likeable. Barack Obama is — it’s drummed into our heads — likeable. He’s so likeable. He got ahead of Hillary Clinton for being so darned likeable, and he famously said “You’re likeable enough” to her on his way to beating her to the nomination.

It occurred to me that liberals have quite effectively insinuated the message into our brains that they are likeable, and, in particular, Barack Obama is likeable. And that doesn’t just mean that any given individual likes him, subjectively. He is likeable, objectively. If you don’t like him, what’s wrong with you? You don’t seem likeable. You’d better like him or no one will like you. All the likeable people are liberal, so you’d better be liberal or no one will like you.

…But this liking of Obama — not loving, liking — what is it? Is it racist? You like him. You really, really like him. Or something’s wrong with you. Do you twinge with anxiety that you might be racist if you don’t like him? Better like him. Why suffer the cruel, needless misunderstanding, the stubborn, self-willed exile from the likeable breast! Everything can be all right. The struggle can be finished. Surrender to the victory over yourself. You like Barack Obama.


7 posted on 10/10/2012 8:13:22 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
It's the reverse Clinton: when Clinton's likability dropped in the wake of scandal, the media immediately started reporting the job approval stat instead (or alongside). As long as the job was getting done (they cried), what would it matter that he was a low-lyin', lying, son-of-a-...

Well, anyway, it doesn't matter how likable 0 may be. The country's is a mess and we don't need a likable leader. We need an effective leader, likable is a plus.

8 posted on 10/10/2012 8:14:11 AM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Rome didn't fall in a day, either.)
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To: utahagen

RE: I loathe Bill Clinton, but I always have conceded that many people are dazzled by his personality, regardless of whether they like his politics

Say what you will about the great stain maker, but he is a talented EMPATH. He has the ability to make you think he feels your pain.

That’s one thing women really like ( especially when they can’t get it from their husbands ).


9 posted on 10/10/2012 8:15:21 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

Didn’t Paula Abdul sing a song about Obama? I think it was called “Cold Blooded Snake”.


10 posted on 10/10/2012 8:16:15 AM PDT by OffMyMeds (Crede et manducasti)
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To: utahagen
I loathe Bill Clinton, but I always have conceded that many people are dazzled by his personality

I remember when Bill Clinton was running in 1992, after the first debate I turned toward by father and said "Nobody is going to vote for this guy, he comes off as an oily, crooked used car salesman." My dad replied, "Yes, but don't underestimate that. There are a lot of very successful crooked used car salesman out there." History proved he was right and I was wrong...

11 posted on 10/10/2012 8:21:43 AM PDT by apillar
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To: SeekAndFind
If you really like Obama, send him off to a happy retirement in sunny Hawaii along some relatively pristine beach. He doesn't need the stress of this job. He's worked so hard and earned a happy retirement. < / sarcasm >
12 posted on 10/10/2012 8:28:22 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: chesley

Hitler wasn’t freely elected. He was appointed by Paul von Hindenburg, the German president. Chancellors then were never elected, rather they were appointed by the president. Hitler was named chancellor after the collapse of the von Papen government. Papen and von Schleicher convinced Hindenburg to name him chancellor under the misguided idea that they could “control” him as members of the coalition cabinet.

At the time, the Nazis weren’t even the majority party in the Reichstag. That changed after the Reichstag Fire, which the Nazis set and blamed on the Communists. Hitler then got the majority of then-frightened Germans to vote in favor of an act outlawing all other political parties, who’s members were promptly arrested.

Upon the death of Hindenburg, Hitler announced he was assuming both offices. He then eliminated other enemies and rivals, including Schleicher, in the notorious “Night of Long Knives”. Papen was neutralized by being shuffled into a nothing position and ignored.

The idea that Hitler ever won an election is pure fiction and a myth. He did run for president against Hindenburg, (who hated Hitler and dismissed him as “that Bohemian corporal”), in 1930 and lost in a landslide.


13 posted on 10/10/2012 8:48:06 AM PDT by Emperor Palpatine ("On the ascent of Olympus, what's a botched bar or two?" -Artur Schnabel)
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To: SeekAndFind

“Obama will be re-elected because of his personal likeability rating?”...

Bullcrap!...His personal likeability is as phoney as a 2 dollar suit!...He’s not fooling anyone but his cool-aid drinkers.


14 posted on 10/10/2012 8:48:11 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
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To: SeekAndFind

There are lots of likable people who I would NOT go into business with, work for, or trust with my savings. Obama has a likable side... so what? That’s NOT a qualification for being President of anything - no less the United States. Time for everyone to take a deep breath and grow up.


15 posted on 10/10/2012 9:09:21 AM PDT by GOPJ (You only establish a feel for the line by having crossed it. - - Freeper One Name)
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To: P.O.E.

We’re electing a President of the United States - not a cruise director...


16 posted on 10/10/2012 9:11:10 AM PDT by GOPJ (You only establish a feel for the line by having crossed it. - - Freeper One Name)
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To: Emperor Palpatine

Thanks for the correction.

Nevertheless, he does seem to have been quite charismatic.


17 posted on 10/10/2012 10:14:23 AM PDT by chesley (Vast deserts of political ignorance makes liberalism possible - James Lewis)
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To: SeekAndFind

Well, there are a lot of fools out there.

As for me, if someone is trying to screw me over, I don’t like him, no matter what his other admirable qualities.

and I never for one second thought that Barack was likeable, competent, or honest.


18 posted on 10/10/2012 10:16:25 AM PDT by chesley (Vast deserts of political ignorance makes liberalism possible - James Lewis)
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To: utahagen

They always pull this charade - Hillary is the smartest woman ever, Moochelle is a style maven and fitness buff, Bush is an idiot, etc.

They bloviate these lies over and over, and a lot of dupes buy it hook, line & sinker.


19 posted on 10/10/2012 10:28:37 AM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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To: utahagen

Yep. You Got THAT Right!


20 posted on 10/10/2012 12:18:41 PM PDT by left that other site (Worry is the Darkroom that Develops Negatives.)
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