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Polling: How Many Ways Can You Confuse the Health Reform Issue?
In Addition . . .My previous blog post dealt with the wording of a poll from WaPo that detailed a question about how folks felt about the ongoing debate over the public option.
The wording in that poll was quite different than what had been used previously. In my opinion the wording was so convoluted in relationship to what a public option is that it was almost worthless to ask the question in that manner.
Although, the main point that was being stressed in that particular question dealt with whether or not those polled gave a big whoop whether or not they wanted a bi-partisan effort or a plan even without Republican support.
Now on the general question, without getting into the statistical outcomes, how have the various polling outfits been framing the overall issue whether a person supports or opposes the ongoing efforts?
Following is a list at Pollster.com of various polling outfits and their framing of the question as to whether of not those polled "favor" or "oppose" the ongoing efforts with the health care reform plans :
Question Text:
Democracy Corps As you may have heard, President Obama is preparing a plan to change the health care system. From what you have heard about this plan, do you favor or oppose Obama's health care proposal?
Pew
As of right now, do you generally favor or generally oppose the health care proposals being discussed in Congress?
NBC / WSJ
From what you have heard about Barack Obama's health care plan, do you think his plan is a good idea or a bad idea? If you do not have an opinion either way, please just say so.
Rasmussen
Generally speaking, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and the congressional Democrats?
NPR
As you may have heard, President Obama and the Democrats in Congress are preparing a plan to change the health care system. From what you have heard about this plan, do you favor or oppose Obama and the Democrats' health care proposal?
Fox
Based on what you know about the health care reform legislation being considered right now, do you favor or oppose the plan?
CNN
From everything you have heard or read so far, do you favor or oppose Barack Obama's plan to reform health care?
PPP
Do you support or oppose President Obama's health care plan, or do you not have an opinion?ABC/Post
Overall, given what you know about them, would you say you support or oppose the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by Congress and the Obama administration? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
Ipsos/
McClatchy
As of right now, do you favor or oppose the healthcare reform proposals presently being discussed?
YouGov
Overall, given what you know about them, do you support or oppose the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by Congress and the Obama administration?
Public Opinion
Strategies
From what you have heard about Barack Obama's health care plan, do you think his plan is a good idea or a bad idea? If you do not have an opinion either way, please just say so.
AP-GfK
In general, do you support, oppose or neither support nor oppose the health care reform plans being discussed in Congress?
Harris
Even if you don't know the details of his plan, how do you feel about President Obama's proposals for health care reform?
OnMessage
Do you favor or pppose the current health care legislation being pushed by President Obama and the Democrats in Congress?
Bloomberg
In general, do you favor or oppose President Obama's plan for health care reform?
CBS/Times
Do you mostly support or mostly oppose the changes to the health care system proposed by Barack Obama, or don't you know enough about them yet to say?Gallup
Thinking about health care legislation now being considered by Congress, would you advise your member of Congress to vote for or against a healthcare bill this year, or do you not have an opinion?AllState / National Journal
And, on the topic of health care, as you understand it, do you support or oppose the current legislation to reform health care in the U.S.
http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/healthplan.php
I think the Harris question is the one that takes the cake: "Even if you don't know the details of his plan, how do you feel about President Obama's proposals for health care reform?"
Overall, it's quite obvious that these outfits are all over the map when framing their question.
In twenty-five (25) words or less, try and frame the question . . .
~OGD~
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The fact is that the question is not that simple and every poll I've seen, (I am a contributor to the Gallup Panel), does not address the complexity of the issue. Many people who favor health care reform in general may not view the different proposals in a favorable light, as they see the wording of the bills construed to preserve most of our existing health care paradigm while rewarding the bad actors in the process. That said, our legislature and President Obama must bear much of the blame for confusing, or at least not defining healthcare reform in many Americans' minds. I know they've confused me at various points in the public dialogue.
October 20, 2009 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink