In this diary: some good polling news, a question and some good stuff for Gwynne Dyer fans (and people interested in global climate change).
More evidence the country is moving in Obama's direction and the time may be right for Obama to provide 'transformative chnage'.
From the Angus Reid website
http://www.angus-reid.com/
A.Polls
1.Americans Want Normal Relations with Cuba: Most people in the United States would modify their country’s ties with Cuba, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 59 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should lift its embargo and begin normal diplomatic and trade relations with the island, up 15 points since May.
2.Support for Private Medicine Wanes in U.S: More Americans believe their federal administration should be more involved in the funding of medical services, according to a poll by CBS News and the New York Times. 59 per cent of respondents want the government in Washington provide national health insurance, up 19 points in 30 years.More Americans believe their federal administration should be more involved in the funding of medical services, according to a poll by CBS News and the New York Times. 59 per cent of respondents want the government in Washington provide national health insurance, up 19 points in 30 years.
3.Americans Still Oppose Legal Marijuana, but...
Most people in the United States disapprove of legalizing marijuana but the number of people who support it has decidedly increased since the late 1970s, according to a poll by CBS News and the New York Times. 41 per cent of respondents think the use of marijuana should be legal—up 14 points since July 1979—while 52 per cent want it to remain outlawed.
I don't think Obama mentioned anything to do with legalizing marijuana sadly, even though I think it topped the issues on change.gov. Sadly, Obama also hasn't done anything yet on disclosure of aliens, which I think came in second.
B.Question
Any idea why Rasmussen seems to get results that seem to be completely different from practically every other polling firm?
Gallup, for instance, in the poll here showed Americans support Obama's plan over the Republicans by a 54-32% margin, while Rasmussen polls show that most Americans want tax cuts and a majority think increased spending will be 'bad for the economy'.
I believe there have been at least a couple other polls by mainstream outfits that have backed up the Gallup poll and not the Rasmussen poll.
The easy answer is to basically charge Rasmussen with fudging their polls (Scott Rasmussen I'm pretty sure is a well known Republican). However, that is a very serious charge to make and I certainly have no positive evidence of it. Can anybody think of any other reason?
C.Gwynne Dyer goodies.
Gwynne Dyer is a well known Canadian military historian (well known in Canada anyway). He recently did a 3 part series for CBC radio 'Ideas' progam on global climate change. He examines the recent U.S military discussion paper on global climate change. While he admits that the U.S military pretty much war games everything, he said they clearly seem to be very concerned about global climate change.
The podcasts of these shows are available here for a few more days don't wait to download them!): http://www.cbc.ca/...