General Discussion

Bluetus

(2,281 posts)

27. Many of the polls ask the wrong questions

Sun Dec 28, 2025, 09:30 PM

Dec 28

I saw one the other day that was basically (maybe I paraphrase a little):

If you have a choice between a reasonable, moderate Democrat or an extreme Republican, which would you support in 2028?
If you have a choice between a reasonable, moderate Democrat or a moderate Republican, which would you support in 2028?
If you have a choice between a crazy, out-of-touch liberal Democrat or a MAGA Republican, which would you support in 2028?
If you have a choice between a crazy, out-of-touch liberal Democrat or a moderate Republican, which would you support in 2028?

And, golly, the poll "proved" that our best chance of winning was with a "reasonable, moderate Democrat".

This was obviously commissioned by some organization that wants to see a Milquetoast Dem as the candidate in 2028. I don't know if it was commissioned by "moderate Dems" or by a right-wing outfit. Could have been either.

But that is not the biggest problem with this poll. The big problem is how one defines "moderate" or :mainstream". Poll after poll shows that the mainstream of Americans is in favor of strong, affordable public education, a public health care option not run to maximize profits for billionaires, a fair tax system that requires the richest to pay their share, sensible gun control, consumer protections at the workplace, the air, the water, and in the medicine cabinet, economic policy that doesn't vaporize our life savings through runaway inflation, and so on. And generally speaking, the people who like to call themselves "moderate Dems" don't help us achieve any of these things.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

51 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Democratic Party's Low Polling Numbers Explained [View all] Pototan Dec 28 OP

Many Democrats expect their elected Dem reps to lead the revolution. FalloutShelter Dec 28 #1

The GOP embraces their protesters and far right spokesmen Farmer-Rick Dec 28 #11

Not true at all creeksneakers2 Dec 29 #31

Such a succinct argument Farmer-Rick Dec 30 #48

For one thing, free trade is not a far right idea. creeksneakers2 Wednesday #50

Elected Democratic leaders need to endorse popular Democratic candidates and ideas while fighting the fights they can. Gore1FL Dec 28 #14

We don't actually need a revolution, we need a counter-revolution. The Reagan Revolution has to go JHB Dec 28 #17

The fight now is trying to protect what we have creeksneakers2 Dec 29 #32

I submit that compromising our values doesn't protect us. If it did, we wouldn't be having these discussions. nt Gore1FL Dec 29 #35

Submit away creeksneakers2 Dec 29 #36

Zohran Mamdani got votes Gore1FL Dec 29 #37

He won in New York City creeksneakers2 Dec 29 #38

Ignore people long enough and they quit showing up. Gore1FL Dec 29 #39

Biden: "Trickle-down economics has never worked" Harris: "Trickle-down economics benefited big corporations betsuni Dec 30 #44

Facts differ. The current top rate is 37% Gore1FL Dec 30 #45

Two paragraphs and you explained the problems that the Democrats have completely ignored Autumn Dec 29 #34

One suggestion: Democratic leaders should hold "shadow" hearings and tape them Justice matters. Dec 28 #21

There is the day to day process where right now we are weak as the minority. Then there is vision. Which we seem.... dutch777 Dec 28 #2

trouble is- mopinko Dec 28 #5

And these things need to be accomplished in a hard hitting get-it-done manner. Trust_Reality Dec 28 #18

I think we can do both if we have a solid majority. I do hope someone is keeping a list of all the stuff to repair! dutch777 Dec 30 #47

We need to be more outspoken WmChris Dec 28 #3

It doesn't fully explain it. everyonematters Dec 28 #4

"trans boys" angrychair Dec 28 #24

I should have said trans girls. everyonematters Dec 28 #25

Corporate media has their thumb on the scale for the pukes as well. It's not an even playing field. Blues Heron Dec 28 #6

Yep. For profit media is for profit first. Trust_Reality Dec 28 #19

But Democratic candidates are winning Buckeyeblue Dec 28 #7

i don't see Dem adrenaline. AOC and Gavin are exceptions Tetrachloride Dec 28 #8

Post removed Post removed Dec 28 #9

Republicans are to the left of "corporate" Democrats? Martin Eden Dec 28 #13

It's simple. Low approval for Democrats does NOT equate to approval for Republicans Martin Eden Dec 28 #10

Yes, Democrats need to fight harder Mysterian Dec 28 #12

Democratic low polling numbers are from Democrats or unaffiliated Democratic leaning voters, 'cause the Democratic Fil1957 Dec 28 #15

Both parties make the same mistake of thinking--or choosing to think--that voters... Ol Janx Spirit Dec 28 #16

With a few exceptions (AOC, Gavin, Bernie) pinkstarburst Dec 28 #20

I think there's a disconnect between campaigning and achieving dickthegrouch Dec 28 #22

Post removed Post removed Dec 28 #23

Absolutely. That kind of damage to Democrats wasn't possible before. betsuni Dec 28 #28

Republicans can't do policy. OAITW r.2.0 Dec 28 #26

Many of the polls ask the wrong questions Bluetus Dec 28 #27

When grievances matter more than vulnerabilities. betsuni Dec 28 #29

I have a good explanation for it. bob4460 Dec 29 #30

Too many use pretzel logic to blame democrats SocialDemocrat61 Dec 29 #33

My point of the OP, exactly Pototan Dec 29 #40

Winning elections is more important and better than being liked JI7 Dec 30 #41

Then why don't they support Jasmine Crockett JI7 Dec 30 #42

Yes, and this "fighting" business is a both sides insinuation that Democrats don't fight. betsuni Dec 30 #43

Most people claim democrats lost the election due to messaging fujiyamasan Dec 30 #46

I wish we could openly talk about our party on this site. We have so many problems that needs to be addressed Mr. Sparkle Dec 30 #49

What "runs down the spine of our party"? Please give examples of problems. betsuni Wednesday #51