Reply #34: There are different ways to use polls.

[hedgehog]

Example: polls taken early during the 1960 campaign told JFK that his religion was a major problem. Now, he didn't take that information and decide to convert. He took that information and made arrangements to give speeches asserting that his Catholic faith did not disqualify him from the Presidency.


If a Candidate runs on "A", he or she needs to know if the people associate him or her with "A". If the polls show that people are hearing "B", then the candidate must adjust the message to make sure "A" gets across to the voters. .

If a candidate uses polls to determine that people prefer "X" over "Y", and proceeds to shift position from "X" to "Y", then that is different.