The Evolution of Presidential Polling
Author | : Robert M. Eisinger |
Publisher | : Cambridge University Press |
Total Pages | : 232 |
Release | : 2003-01-20 |
ISBN-10 | : 0521017009 |
ISBN-13 | : 9780521017008 |
Rating | : 4/5 (09 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: The Evolution of Presidential Polling is a book about presidential power and autonomy. Since FDR, virtually all presidents have employed private polls in some capacity. This book attempts to explain how presidential polling evolved from a rarely conducted secretive enterprise, to a commonplace event that is now considered an integral part of the presidency. I contend that because presidents do not trust institutions such as Congress, the media and political parties--all of which also gauge public opinion--they opt to gain autonomy from these institutions by conducting private polls to be read and interpreted solely for themselves.