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.”
Brzezinski's reading of CNN's Cheney poll contradicts CNN polling director
Published
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.