Network Poll Coverage Ignores Public Opposition to Debt Ceiling Raise
By Kyle Drennen | July 23, 2011 | 09:00
NBC and CBS polls released earlier this week determined that a significant portion of the American public remain opposed to any increase in the nation’s debt limit, but neither network has included that fact in their on-air reporting. And a poll released by ABC on Tuesday didn’t even bother to ask for public opinion on whether the raising the debt ceiling was a good idea or not.
The networks’ selective coverage of their own polls corresponds with CNN on-air hosts scandalously ignoring the fact that their polling found 66% of Americans supported the House GOP's 'Cut, Cap and Balance' plan and that 74% would support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that despite warnings of supposedly dire consequences if the debt ceiling was not raised, 31% of Americans were against the increase. After providing a brief explanation of both sides of the argument, that number went up to 43%. The CBS News poll found an even higher 49% of Americans thought Congress should not raise the debt ceiling.
The closest ABC News came to actually asking the question was to simply wonder who Americans would blame for the assumed disaster that would befall the country if the debt ceiling was not raised.
All three networks did find time use their respective poll findings to focus blame for the stalemate on the Republican Party. On Tuesday's ABC World News, anchor Diane Sawyer proclaimed: "Republicans baring the brunt of the blame, 67% disapprove of the way Republicans in Congress are handling the economy."
On Wednesday's NBC Today, political director Chuck Todd declared: "Most of this poll shows that the middle of the country and a majority of Americans basically don't like the Republican position on this debt plan."
Finally, on Monday's CBS Early Show, co-host Chris Wragge observed: "And congressional Republicans also have an issue here as well. Seventy-one percent say they disapprove of their handling of things."
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Comments
The subtle bias of omission.
Submitted by motherbelt on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 9:40am.
It's obvious that they do their polls to find out what's going on.
Then they report them if the results support their view, and ignore them if they don't.
As Rush used to say, when they like the results of the poll, the poll itself becomes the story.
Yes, MB!
Submitted by Thalpy on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 10:09am.
From time to time we lose track of just what the MSM is:the propaganda and indoctrination medium of the Left-no more, no less.
...and they do it for free....except....
Submitted by Red Jeep on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 10:23am.
...NBC and MSNBC....GE doesn't pay any taxes.
They keep seeling until they get the response they want
Submitted by richb313 on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 10:33am.
They keep selling until they get the response they want. If you keep blaming the republicans for the problem then it might be expected when you take a poll the results would reflect that. It also explains why when plans are also polled the republican plans do very well. It is the disconnect between these two results that prove how the MSM has used a single talking point to drive public opinion. Yet when pressed for details the opposite conclusion must be considered.
If the Republicans are the ones blocking a deal then why is the only legislation and written down plans from republicans? The democrats in the House could have written a plan and even if the Speaker side tracked it we would still know about it but wait there is no plan. There is aslo nothing anyone can study and evaluate except promises from either the senate or the president.
The House has done it's job and when Ried did not even let the House Bill come to the floor He and He alone is responsible for no deal.
It's All Boehner's Fault
Submitted by iveseenitall on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 11:01am.
In almost every report, from Politco to MSNBC--it's all Boehner's fault that the "talks" have broken down. Sick!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal" ( progressive) ---Boehner is finding that out.
Never trust..
Submitted by almostacowboy on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 2:36pm.
a Democrat and keep an eye on the GOP.
The Democrats are playing
Submitted by rbosque on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 11:06am.
The Democrats are playing games with the economy. They know darn well that the Republican's proposal would work- but the Dems don't want to give Republicans a victory. They'd sooner see our economy crash and blame the Republicans than restore us to fiscal sanity. The Dems are petulant little children.
debt ceiling follies
Submitted by billb on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 1:42pm.
"Let me be perfectly clear on this.......Everything will be on C-SPAN!"
Excerpt from the famous Obama styrofoam column speech
STOP....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 2:37pm.
looking at that hand and watch this hand over here - CNN
Liars
Submitted by Jerry Mack on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 9:55pm.
I can not understand how a person can look into a camera and lie to their audience.