Why is Gallup hyping negligible movement in Obama's approval rating?
March 19, 2010 4:15 pm ET by Eric Boehlert
This seems rather absurd, considering Gallup's own margin of error for its Obama poll is plus or minus 4 points. Meaning, a job approval rating drop of one or two points that Gallup is hyping is statistically irrelevant.
But that didn't stop Gallup from touting its latest results with this Drudge-friendly headline:
Obama's Approval Ratings Lowest Yet, Congress' Declines
And its lede:
President Barack Obama's job approval is the worst of his presidency to date, with 46% of Americans approving and 48% disapproving of the job he is doing as president in the latest Gallup Daily three-day average.
So Obama's three-day rolling average is 46 percent, the worst of his presidency. It all sounds very ominous and newsy, right? But what was Obama's previous low at Gallup? Um, 47 percent back in January.
Gallup wrote up a news report about Obama achieving the "worst" job approval ratings of his presidency based on the fact it's exactly one point lower than his previous mark, and even though, according to Gallup, the margin of error on the poll is four percent?
So statistically, I think I'm safe is saying that Obama's recent drop was negligible and you could accurately describe his approval ratings as having remaining essentially unchanged in recent weeks, as it has been for several months.
UPDATED: FYI, If you look at the numbers, the reason for Obama's marginal dip is because self-identified GOP voters have recently decided they like him even less. i.e. Independents and Democrats haven't budged on Obama since late last year.
Boehlert
Mr. Boehlert
So statistically, I think I'm safe in saying you are an idiot. Last time I checked, 46 was in fact lower than 47. So not only can you not write, as the above quote demonstrates, you are not very good at basic math skills either.
But Boehlert is the "idiot". Right.
You may have your 'pointofview' but here you missing the point altogether... It is correct that 46 is lower than 47 as it is also true that the drop is negligible, in other words irrelevant. Who's the idiot here? I'll save you my point of view...
Best regards.
So statistically, I think I'm safe in saying you are an idiot.
Just so you know that anyone can act the fool.
I will give you credit though, you do it better than most.
There are several good references, including this one, written for journalists, available.
You can be informed, or not - your choice.
One of the basic necessities in sounding responsible and worthy is basic grammar. Knowing math and being able to express mathematical equations correctly would also be a great help when trying to act intelligently You have missed on both.
Also some as yourself would like to forget that the majority of Americans disapprove of this so called health care reform Remember if you can that the government is supposed to work for us the people.
While a good number that approve of the bill they also conveniently forget that it is not at all what Obama promised.
Remember that he promised us the people the same health care plan that the federal government receives along with the federal employees. But no that's not at all what he wishes to push off on us Is it!
No he and some dumb Americans would rather have us the people have a much lesser plan while we the people pay for the government to have a far far better plan.
Why is that?
Notice too that Obama's approval ratings drop every time he brings up this stupid health care plan.
One would thing that as the President he would take a hint and at least try to give what he promised and not go against what we the people wish for.