Zogby "Poll" Advertises

vanity | 11-10-4 | self

[McClintock]

Zogby Now a PR Firm:

Just yesterday I participated in the Nov. 10 Zogby On-line Poll (invitation only). Aside from being far more lengthy than usual, I was struck by the “advocacy” nature of the questions. Rather than being content to survey attitudes, it was very clear to me that Zogby was trying to influence and to change those attitudes, at least regarding what must be a new customer for them: The government of the Peoples Republic of Viet Nam.

That was my conclusion, at least. Here are the questions regarding Viet Nam: you be the judge, but it looks to me as if Zogby have crossed the line between polling firm and advertising/public relations firm!

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Now some questions about Vietnam. What is your overall opinion of Vietnam as a country?

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced it would support Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization to open up that country's 80 million consumers to American products. Do you agree or disagree with this decision?

Do you think from what you hear that Vietnam offers religious freedom?

If you were told that Vietnam had 22,000 churches and Buddhist temples that were open daily for prayer-and that the Catholic church has doubled its size in the last 25 years would you change your mind?

Do you agree or disagree that Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1978 to get rid of the Chinese-backed Khmer Rouge is proof that Vietnam does not support despotic governments?

Vietnam is taking steps toward a free market economy and it currently has a one party system. Do you agree or disagree that the country can be a free market economy with a one-party system?

The Vietnamese government has been working with American veterans groups to account for American MIAs from that conflict. More than 700 of the 1,800 American MIAs have been accounted for. Do you agree or disagree that Congress should thank veterans groups and the government of Vietnam for their efforts in recovering MIAs?

Have you ever traveled to Asia?

If actor Chuck Norris, who starred in a number of Vietnam War movies, were to tell you that the country has done a great job with recovering American MIAs and that the country was a great place to visit, would his endorsement affect your opinion of this country?

If Senator John McCain, a former POW in the Vietnam War, were to tell you that the country has done a great job with recovering American MIAs and that the country was a great place to visit, would his endorsement affect your opinion of this country? (Especially not him!)

If Lt. Col. Oliver North were to tell you that the country has done a great job with recovering American MIAs and that the country was a great place to visit, would his endorsement affect your opinion of this country?

Here are two statements about Vietnam. Please pick which comes closer to your view - A or B? Statement A: Vietnam has a repressive government with a questionable human rights record. Statement B: Vietnam is a progressive country with an improved human rights record.

[Howlin]

I notice that that little "problem" has dropped off the scope since the election.

Here are two more that just killed me:

Families who earn $150,000 or more a year currently pay 32% of their income in federal income taxes. Do you agree or disagree that this rate should be increased to 36%?
	Agree
	Disagree
	Not sure
	Refused

Do you agree or disagree that Congress should pass a federal law that allows reciprocity between all states that allow concealed carry of a firearm so that the concealed carry permit in one state is automatically honored by another state that also allows concealed carry of a firearm?
	Agree
	Disagree
	Not sure
	Refused

****If it's a STATE LAW, what the hell does Congress have to do with it??

[PLK]

I took the poll, too. I clicked "Refused" on the Vietnam questions. It was ridiculous, and I won't participate in the Zogby online polls again.

[TexasGreg]

I got the email and took this poll, too. It twas fun screwing up his poll! :)

[Howlin]

Do you agree or disagree that laws prohibiting convicted felons and non-US citizens from voting should be more vigorously enforced?
	Agree
	Disagree
	Not sure
	Refused

Some voters have homes in the north during the summer and homes in the south during the winter and are illegally registered to vote in more than one state. Do you agree or disagree that state governments should more vigorously prosecute those voters who violate federal law by registering to vote in different states?
	Agree
	Disagree
	Not sure
	Refused

Bill Clinton has indicated that he would like to run for Secretary General of the United Nations should the US president support him in that effort. Do you agree or disagree that the next president of the US should support Mr. Clinton in this effort?
	Agree
	Disagree
	Not sure
	Refused

[McClintock]

Yeah, as irritating as the questions are, don't get angry - get even!

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I can't help but wonder what the follow-up question might have been if I had not answered that I have traveled in Asia.
Prolly would have tried to get me to visit Viet Nam!
No thank you; already had that opportunity!

[stanz]

I participated, too. They asked over and over again, "Does this change your attitude toward Viet Nam?"
A PR job without a doubt.