Helmke on Gallup

Paul Helmke writes that the recently published Gallup poll claiming support for gun control has dropped is...

one of the most misleading I've seen in a long time.

Not only is the information old, but the main question asked and highlighted is not reflective of current efforts by activists around the country to reduce gun violence.

This polling information was collected last October, which Gallup does mention in its third paragraph. Yet it certainly begs the question: Why publish a statement based on data that is almost six months old, in the wake of a string of mass shootings committed over the past month?

He would prefer that we instead lend credence to this poll.

the Brady Campaign commissioned a survey of 1,083 people who voted on Election Day last year to find out their attitudes on a handful of gun law proposals.

The Brady poll shows strong support for increased gun control. Who wants to bet that the Brady Bunch picked a polling place to conduct their poll that insured the end result they desired?

But more to the point, Paul, Gallup carried out their poll in October and your drones carried out yours in November. If I shouldn't pay any attention to theirs because it was conducted six months ago why should I pay any more attention to yours conducted five months ago? Does thirty days make that much difference? We all know the difference between these polls. One was conducted by a company that conducts polls as their business. The other was conducted by a political organization that conducts polls to further their agenda. Maybe Gallup should conduct a poll asking Americans whether they give a fuck what Paul Helmke and the Brady Campaign have to say about gun control? I know how I'd vote.

Thanks to Thirdpower.