As Eric Kleefeld noted, there’s a real gem towards the end of the latest Fox News poll (.pdf).
“Recently Democratic Leader of the Senate Harry Reid said that the war ‘is lost’ in Iraq. Do you feel this was an acceptable thing or an unacceptable thing for Reid to say while U.S. troops are still in the field fighting?”
Given this wording, the results weren’t close — 29% said the comments were acceptable, 65% said unacceptable.
Of course, the phrasing is obviously about as subtle as a sledgehammer. Like all unreliable polls, the question is intended to produce a specific result (which Hannity and O’Reilly can then use on the air). Indeed, just a few questions prior, poll respondents were asked how they’d describe conditions in Iraq right now. A combined 57% said we’re either losing or have already lost.
It’s worth remembering, from time to time, that this is how Fox News conducts all of its polling. Consider these questions from last month’s national FNC poll:
* Do you think illegal immigrants from Mexico should be given special treatment and allowed to jump in front of immigrants from other countries that want to come to the United States legally, or not?
* Considering that over the past twelve months the stock market is up, employment has increased and the disposable income of U.S. workers has increased, do you think the news media has generally done a good job or bad job providing accurate news about the nation’s economy?
The month before, Fox News’ poll included these fair and balanced questions:
* Do you think a Congressional investigation into the dismissal of the eight federal prosecutors is a good use of taxpayer money?
* Who do you trust more to decide when U.S. troops should leave Iraq — U.S. military commanders or Members of Congress?
* Do you think the Democratic Party should allow a grassroots organization like Moveon.org to take it over or should it resist this type of takeover?
Pretty soon, someone might get the sense that Fox News is trying to skew its polls to advance some kind of political agenda. Shocking, I know.
