Brzezinski's reading of CNN's Cheney poll contradicts CNN polling director
SUMMARY: Citing a CNN poll, Mika Brzezinski asserted, "[Dick] Cheney's recent foray into the media spotlight is boosting his approval rating." However, CNN's polling director refuted the notion that Cheney's higher favorability in the poll is related to his "recent foray into the media spotlight."
On the May 22 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe, co-host Mika Brzezinski asserted, "According to a new poll, [former Vice President Dick] Cheney's recent foray into the media spotlight is boosting his approval rating. Thirty-seven percent now have a favorable opinion of the former vice president, up 8 points from when he left office." An on-screen graphic accompanying Brzezinski's comments indicated that she was referring to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll conducted May 14-17. However, in a May 21 CNN Political Ticker article announcing the poll results, CNN polling director Keating Holland directly refuted the notion that Cheney's higher favorability in the new poll is related to his "recent foray into the media spotlight." Holland stated, "Is Cheney's uptick due to his visibility as one of the most outspoken critics of the Obama administration? Almost certainly not. ... Former President George W. Bush's favorable rating rose six points in that same time period, and Bush has not given a single public speech since he left office."
In contrast to Brzezinski, other media, such as United Press International and the Politico, noted Holland's remarks in reporting on the new CNN poll.
From the May 22 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe:
BRZEZINSKI: According to a new poll, Mr. Cheney's recent foray into the media spotlight is boosting his approval rating. Thirty-seven percent now have a favorable opinion of the former vice president, up 8 points from when he left office.
Funny how the media is focusing mostly on Cheney and everyone has had on Liz Cheney but, not a democrat in sight to talk about Obama's speech or present the sane point of view in regard to Gitmo and torture.
The media is still kissing the behind of Cheney...
But, then, is anyone surprised???
The misreading of the poll is nothing new. It is reminiscent of the poll suggesting that Obama was the most divisive president in modern American history. A ton of work was done to explain why the poll is misleading, including the pollster. And yet, MJ sides with Rove and berates liberals for hypocracy. I suppose the world is really as simple as 1+1=2. By this logic, there should be no climate change b/c we have snow in winter. Dinosaurs lived among men b/c we have the Flinstones.
The show used to be informative and fun. Now it is just 90% GOP talk dominated by Pelosi and Obama bashing and unfiltered Liz Cheney, Southern Gops with 5% token dems (Ford) and great guests like Meacham, and 5% airtime for Joe's book. As I understand it from his Time article and plugs, the premise is just hilarious. Look at it this way: Imagine if a liberal in 1972, 1980, 2000, 2004 saying that Dems lost the election b/c they were not liberal enough and had they been true liberals there would be a greater tent. Oh, by the way, there were never German pow camps in the US during WWII. Historians who have written otherwise have no clue b/c Joe says so.
Cheney accomplished that without any help.
Hahahahaha! That was a good one. I've missed your sense of humor.
The CNN news director obviously is trying to deflect Cheney's improved numbers by attempting a reversed cause and effect explanation by claiming Cheney is riding Bush's coattails. Not surprising, but it doesn't make any sense.
It is obvious that the Obama reversals on his campaign pledges regarding the war on Terror by keeping so many of the Bush Administration's policies and Cheney illustrating those policies have caused the uptick.
Someone alert the media! This is a big story. Do you realize what this means?
This gives the corporate media every reason to put Cheney into the regular rotation. A go-to guy for opinion.
Randy