Figuring out what the public really thinks isn’t always an exact science, as anyone who’s seen two polls touting completely contradictory results can affirm.


One reason for that: most Americans, regardless of their political views, don’t have a solid opinion about every single issue of the day, particularly when it concerns a complicated or obscure topic. People tend, reasonably, to rely on partisan cues — if a politician they support is in favor of a bill, they’re likely to think it’s a good idea, or vice versa.


As a classic case in point, Republicans are more likely to oppose repealing the 1975 Public Affairs Act — which doesn’t actually exist — when they’re told that President Barack Obama wants to do so, while Democrats object when they’re told it’s a Republican proposal.  But even when it comes to real issues, reactions to polls can vary greatly, depending on the wording.


How much can namedropping a politician matter? Conveniently, Republican front-runner Donald Trump shares a couple of policy positions with Obama and other leading Democrats.

In a new HuffPost/YouGov poll, we randomly assigned one half of the 1,000 Americans surveyed to say whether they agreed with positions Trump held. The rest were asked whether they agreed with positions held by Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry or current Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The trick: the positions were actually the same.

Yet respondents’ reactions were decidedly different. Hearing that Trump supported a certain policy was enough to cause Democrats to reconsider ideas they’d otherwise support, and for Republicans to endorse positions they’d usually avoid.


Still, associating a particular politician with a certain position wasn’t enough for people to abandon their most deeply held convictions. Protecting Social Security, for instance, is an overwhelmingly popular idea, whether it’s being proposed by Clinton or by Trump.

Although most Republicans say they strongly disagree with Democrats on health care, Iran and affirmative action, fewer than a quarter of Republicans strongly disagreed when those positions were presented as Trump’s. Democrats, a majority of whom said they strongly agreed with their party on health care, were less supportive when Trump was the one endorsing the policy.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-republicans-democrats-poll_us_55e5fbb8e4b0c818f6196a82

...both sides,, partisanship, more an 'enemy' than any politician will ever be

One thing to consider.... Trump hasn't lying to everyone for the last 8 years... Let's see what the case is in 4-8 years from now and see what's changed or not changed....

a lie doesn't take years, only one moment,, and Trump has had plenty,,,,

any politician that doesn't accomplish things they allegedly 'promise' is considered in modern culture to have 'lied'

and no politician, or person yet, has accomplished EVERYTHING They ever said they would,,,,

IMO polls are relatively worthless.
Pseudo science at best.


they probably called a bunch of random people who are dumb enough to answer the phone from a number they don't recognize and sit there through some random stranger asking them questions.

Polls might be worth a damn if the pollsters called back the polled a couple hours or days later, went over their questions, read back the answers given, and asked if the people felt differently, how their moods changed, and they had a chance to think over the questions and context of the situation, and repolled them.

Polls will have no merit until poll takers are required to own their choices. I can vote or answer any way I want until I have to put my name on my answer and justify myself. Only then will my input have value.

You can vote yay or nay in a dark room but in a lit room, where all can see you, your response is noted and identifies you. Its called accountability, something lacking in all aspects of modern politics.

Tell me why when a politician does not hold to their word they are not fired (removed from office) on the spot? Part of the job description implies honesty, integrity and accomplishment of goals. Why do we feel we must make allowances for dereliction?

well, 62 million people thought the last 8 years sucked.. that's why we have a new president.

Pretty loud voice... and effective as well.

I have to disagree here

I feel people will be more 'honest' when there is no potential consequence/accountability/identification



they are more likely to say what is expected or popular if people can put a name to their opinion

as far as politicians,,, its hard to say what one's word is, as I noted before, I would not hold anyone in any position to a standard that they MUST achieve every goal they set,, particularly when the goals cannot be accomplished by them alone but require cooperation from others,,,

So, you believe people have no honor?



So, you believe people are shallow and insecure.



So, you want a politician that blows smoke up your ***? When people lie to you its okay?

A politician 'gets the job' by promising to do things. They often make promses that can't be kept and commit people to those promises without assurance the support exists.

If I was dating you and did that you would drop me like a hot potato, yet a politician does it and its okay?

The maximum term is 8 years. We would have a new president whether the last one sucked or not.

I believe people are FEARFUL of repurcussions, I don't apply all those other negative characteristics to the human condition

I also believe people overuse the term 'lie' when it comes to politicians. I don't want someone who deceives, but someone who is not always successful in their goals, or someone who makes mistakes, is just like the rest of us,,,

as I have said before rarely have I heard the word 'promise' come out of a politicians mouth,(unless they are promising to do what they can towards a goal) its like as doctor guaranteeing a surgery,, too many unpredictable can happen,,,

and I would not 'drop' someone for not achieving a planned goal, or making an honest error,,,,,and I do not allow myself to believe a politician can make a promise about accomplishments that they are not solely in power of,,,,