Rachel Maddow answers that ridiculous poll about worst President

[OKNancy]

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/the-best-and-worst-modern-presidents

In a nutshell, she analyzed the results and the Democrats split their votes between Bush2 and Nixon. Republicans voted overwhelmingly for Obama as worst and Reagan as best.

snip

But before folks get too excited about the poll, it’s worth taking a closer look at the results. Indeed, it’s worth making some charts.

In this new poll, respondents were given the list of the 12 modern presidents and then asked to choose the best one. Not surprisingly, Democrats and Republicans answered the question very differently.

So when we look at the overall results and see Reagan in the #1 slot, it’s the result of a simple dynamic: Democrats split their vote and Republicans didn't. (Indeed, among all 20th century presidents, there’s really only one president GOP voters celebrate, while Democrats tend to see a variety of presidential heroes.)

snip

Update: Details like these matter: “Pollsters have been asking some variant of this question for over 15 years, and the person occupying the Oval Office at the time the question is asked always finishes at or near the top of the ‘worst president’ rankings…. In 1998, ABC News asked respondents which president had done the worst job in their lifetimes. Clinton and Reagan finished at a near tie for second, behind (you guessed it) Richard Nixon.”

This poll really is “worthless” and “useless.”

I’m not sure which is more irresponsible: Quinnipiac, for putting such a pointless survey in the field, or media professionals who are pretending the results are important.

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. I kinda figured the guy in office when the question is asked gets the worst end of it, because so...

many people have romanticized past presidents by a totally different yardstick. Reporting numbers like this in the most polarized electorate EVER is quite disingenuous. I hope that others, like Rachel, will take the time to pick this crap poll apart and put it in it's proper perspective.

When Obama is out of office, only then will some of his groundbreaking accomplishments be recognized for what they truly are. Other than giving partisans and talking heads something to chatter about, this poll is pretty worthless.

[mindwalker_i]

2. Oh man

This is seriously going to harsh on their burrito. That poll has been posted, like, 4 times on Discussionist today already. But they'll probably do what they've been doing and call facts and nuance "apologists."

[BootinUp]

3. Most disturbing thing: Dems let Reagan off way too fucking easy.

Last edited Wed Jul 2, 2014, 05:35 PM - Edit history (1)

[Pirate Smile]

4. Who the hell are those "Dems" that voted Obama for worst? The same "Dems" that voted in Kentucky

for a felon in the Dem nomination primary in 2012? Seriously! F**k those assholes. There are always a group of "Dems" happy to provide Republicans with an assist in polling.

[madinmaryland]

10. You do remember the "primary wars of 2008" on DU. I suppose they might have

voted in the poll.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

5. I'm so glad to know the major media outlets can refer to Rachel's sensible analysis

to help the public understand the true context in which we should view the bigger headline about Obama being voted worst President and Reagan being voted best.

I won't have to wait too long for CNN, the New York times, and the Washington Post to mention Rachel's points, will I?

[Cha]

6. I saw it last night and I thought briefly about it this morning and just laughed.. was

that wrong?

thanks Nancy and Rachel~

[SunSeeker]

7. K & R

[Fred Sanders]

8. I blame the headline editors looking for a quick ratings fix by prodding the easily prodded meat

eaters produced by Hate TV and hate Radio.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

14. The headline COULD have been....

"Obama polls even with JFK among Democrats."

[Fred Sanders]

17. Or Obama Fourth Most Popular President, the headlines are all most Americans read.

[LibGranny]

9. How do you get picked to be "polled"? I've never been

polled unless it for a local pol who's seeking my vote!

[JaneyVee]

11. Funny how Dems

Have numerous prez they consider the best while repubs can only name one since ww2.

[Scarsdale]

16. Also

Wasn't it rumored that Reagan had Alzheimers while in office? Remember his trips to the helicopter, cupping his ears so as to let them know he could not hear the questions? A little trick to avoid having him make a gaffe that would expose the myth. I am wondering if Dubya has the same problem, he is strangely absent while all his cabinet have been on TV defending their wars.

[Ilsa]

12. I'd pick W and Raygun over Nixon, as corrupt as he was.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

13. It's the RW shills that are worse as they use this to claim they speak for the majority.

[defacto7]

15. I don't know about the irresponsibility

but the responsibility rests on the money behind the irresponsible polls. Those who do these polls know exactly how they want them worded and tallied based on who is paying and what ideology they want to impress. There's no science in stuff like this.

[Blanks]

18. A poll, seriously? Who cares?

There are objective criteria that can be used to evaluate a president. It's like a poll to determine if global warming is a fact.

George W. Bush will be among the worst presidents EVER. Obama will probably be in the top 10.

[Kath1]

19. Thanks, OKNancy!

This poll really is “worthless” and “useless.” - Yes it is.

I heard some RW radio this morning and they were making a big deal out of it. I just had to laugh, shake my head and tune back to NPR.

[red dog 1]

20. Rachel Maddow rocks!

IMO, she is the most intelligent TV news show host ever, along with Thom Hartmann.

As for that phony Quinnipiac poll..look what news sources are at the top when you do a Google search on it
1) Politico, which is Republican bullshit
2) Washington Times, Sun Myung Moon's newspaper

I guess all those Repukes who love Ray-Gun forgot about Iran-Contra,
or how he & William Casey committed treason by arranging to meet with the U.S.Number 1 enemy at the time, Iran, in order to make sure they didn't free the hostages before Reagan was in office, or how White House CIA officer Donald Gregg stole President Carter's briefing papers & made copies for George Will to use to "coach" Reagan for his 2nd debate with Carter,
after losing badly to Carter in the 1st debate.
Without those 2 treasonous acts, Reagan would have never defeated carter in 1980.