Poll Vault

Mobocracy's the name; Disinformation's the game

Maybe you missed it…

Just before the start of Daylight Savings Time, a new poll was released, rocking the political and academic world! By the widest margin ever recorded, Brian Wilson, noted radio/TV broadcaster, blogger, podcaster, author, and Substack writer, was named 2023 “America’s Most Admired Political Pundit,” according to a Gallup survey. An astounding 82% of respondents named Mr. Wilson in the poll taken Dec. 31- Jan 2.

Mr. Wilson reacted to the announcement with his typical humility: “I am humbled.” He went on to say: “This is a great and well-deserved honor. I’ve been typing with my fists for decades and speaking Truth to Stupid on my radio shows. It’s comforting to know others have finally noticed! With all due respect to my colleagues, 2024 is going to be one helluva year. This is no time to be timid; we have a nation of aggressively ignorant, virally apathetic, and terminally narcissistic “citizens” who need to become aware of how corrupt America has become. We are teetering on the brink! The 2024 election will determine the future for future generations in our future!” *

Hopefully, you noticed the glaring omissions and commissions that litter the media landscape when reporting on polls. Here’s just one example. Notice the absence of significant details standard to polling: sample size, number of calls/callbacks, questions asked/questions answered, by whom, demographic range, geographic location, percentage of error, etc. (The Gallup Poll cited above: conducted during a Waning Gibbous Moon; 32 adults, 25-55;  Smith Mtn Lake, Virginia metro; 72% surnamed “Wilson”; Margin of Error: 0%)*

Just as there is a “Whole Kernel of Truth in Every Form of Humor,” the use of poll results by many in the media and politics would be laughable if not for the manipulation of what remains of the voter's mind. Initially, polls informed; today, they mislead—intentionally. The closer the polls appear to be, the fewer fraudulent ballots will be required to make up the actual difference of an anticipated Trump lead. It is unlikely, but not impossible, the ‘power outage/count stoppage’ used last time will work again.

In 2002, friend James Bovard introduced me to Matthew Robinson’s Mobocracy: How the Media’s Obsession with Polling Twists the News, Alters Elections, and Undermines Democracy. Despite intervening technical advances, it remains one of the best primers for anyone unfamiliar with the subject

Despite the overwhelming admiration ladled upon me in the Gallup poll above, it would be condescending to inform BWW readership on the basics of polling; Robinson’s book handles that all quite well.

The beauty of Robinson’s “Mobocracy” is his thorough coverage of every point referenced in the title in a mere 360 pages of reasonably sized print, including, but not limited to:

Does the Public care about Media Polls?

When Ideologues Attack: Journalists and Polling Language

Media Polling Undermines Political Debate

Who Paid For It?

The Accuracy of Campaign Polls

Now, 22 years after my only interview with Robinson, I attempted to connect with him for this article for his thoughts on the impact of social media, the current state of polls and polling, and the effect of interactive platforms now driving huge swaths of public opinion. Unfortunately, while I may have located Mr. Robinson, who allegedly worked for a large telecom company, he did not respond to my several requests.

Still, with 2024’s increasing political insanity already approaching Happy Dale proportions, reading “MOBOCRACY” now would provide greater understanding and factual ammunition.  

*Disclaimer: For those not fluent in Satire, Ingrained Sarcasm or feeble attempts at levity, the Gallop poll above is USDA Select Bull***t.

BW