Public opinion polls and their effects on the election process

**Erased** · 09-11-2004, 02:24 AM

Ok, I need a bit of help on a debate topic. (Forgive my ignorance, but I believe its LD.) The topic: In the US, Public opinion polls positively effect the election process. I need a case for both sides. Can anyone help? (Sidenote: I don't want it done for me, I just need some help.) Also, its not for a tournament. Its just an assignment. Thanks, I'll check often ^^

**The Captain** · 09-11-2004, 04:59 AM

I voted no because, more often than not, votes only reflect the numbers of people who have voted in the past. Looking at our current numbers, something like half the country has not voted recently, so all things being equal, we don't really know what half the country believes in or who they are voting for.

Polls, whilst an interesting indicator of the election really can't be used to properly guage the entire feeling of the USA. If there was some way to get more people to vote, then perhaps the numbers wouldn't be quite so skewed. I'm hopefuly that this election will cause many more people to come out and vote, whichever side they choose, though I'd prefer Kerry, and then the poll numbers might actually be accurate.

Take care all.

**edczxcvbnm** · 09-11-2004, 05:10 AM

I am saying they are not good because only the people at the top of the polls get any talk on the news and what not becaues they run more ads. Maybe it would be more fair if they had stories about all the canidates instead of just the 2 people at the top. It helps to skew the view even more than it already is.

**Dingo Jellybean** · 09-11-2004, 06:19 AM

Shockingly, Kerry lost a ton of ground on Bush according to recent polls. Even more shocking is that he's losing the women vote. I guess he should've stayed in the limelight during the GOP convention.