How Obama’s poll-testing misfires

Washington Post ^ | April 21, 2014 | by Fred Hiatt

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Robert Kagan recently wrote on this page that, foreign policy decision by foreign policy decision, President Obama has given Americans what they say they want. But the result hasn’t made them proud of America or of their president.

The same phenomenon may explain the disappointment in Obama’s domestic record.

Case by case overseas, Kagan suggested, Americans agree with Obama’s calls: pull out of Iraq, wind down in Afghanistan, steer clear of Syria. But the emerging picture of an America in retreat, and a leader half-heartedly committed to promoting liberty, is not what they were looking for.

At home, the fateful moment came in 2011 when Obama cold-shouldered the bipartisan panel he had appointed to right the nation’s finances for the long term. That, too, was a decision in keeping with the polls.

[mountainlion]

Obama or who ever he is reacts to the globalists that pull his strings. No input form the American people is involved.

[RetiredTexasVet]

Since they manipulate the polls, they are worthless and only reflect the Administration’s views and not the public in general. Additionally, how you perform makes a significant difference in the results. His Arrogance and his corrupt circle of clowns mirror the Beverly Hillbillies.

[SoFloFreeper]

The mainstream media, in my opinion, is looking at this all wrong...either that or they are purposely looking at it wrong.

My theory, which I think is born out by the evidence of Obama's upbringing and philosophy taught since childhood, is this: OBAMA DOESN'T CARE IF HE LOOKS BAD IN THE WORLD. HIS GOAL IS TO DECIMATE AMERICAN POWER--PERHAPS TO THE POINT THAT EVEN HIS SUCCESSORS WILL BE UNABLE TO REVIVE THE ECONOMY AND RESPECT AMONG THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD.

Yes, he is a thin skinned whiner and in some ways tremendously lazy intellectually...but that doesn't interfere with his goal of hurting this nation.

He really, truly, is on a mission to ruin this nation's prestige built up over 200+ years....thus his systematic destruction of our military--hardware and personnel wise in SO many ways.

Thus his pursuit of weakening economic policies and debts and budgets that never balance.

Thus his demagoguery and appeals to the prurient and perverted and criminal segments of society.

All of the flack he is happy to take, if, in the end, he can look at a ruinous American landscape and can say, "I did that."

[Jumper]

Polling is the only place in the news media index that can show any dissent to the president. If those being interviewed are turning against his results seeped in hope and change, then he has failed in his quest for the desired legacy. As it now stands this president will be considered by most of the population to be a failure in office greater than Jimmy Carter. At least Carter was to have been considered a nicer man rather than the unripening liar it turns out Obama is, and will forever be remembered. Thus his legacy is not in doubt, he will be the worst president of all time.

[Intolerant in NJ]

Case by case overseas, Kagan suggested, Americans agree with Obama’s calls: pull out of Iraq, wind down in Afghanistan, steer clear of Syria. But the emerging picture of an America in retreat, and a leader half-heartedly committed to promoting liberty, is not what they were looking for...because most Americans have the typical emotional and intellectual maturity of the average ninth grader, are too invested in their own immediate interests and gratification to think much about the long-term implications and results of their current demands.....