Do the Polls, Pundits, GOP Debates, or My Opinions Matter?
Where do you get your information? From TV?
What influences your decisions? Broadcast performances?
Whom will you vote for? The sartorial stud with the best hair-do on screen?
Or, will what you think about these things be influenced by others?
Influences
The polls and the pundits have great influence on us. We want to go with winners so we choose the highest percentage-getters in the polls. We read the reviews of those we think more politically savvy than ourselves. We take stock in what others think of others. Important decisions, such as our vote, are made by strong influences outside of ourselves.
Seeing the same thing differently
Case in point, the last GOP debate was again televised and reviewed by every reviewer with the TV tuned into it that night. What they said about the guy I watch closely, Rick Perry, went from his being the 'clear winner' to 'looking defeated.' Remember, we're talking about the same guy. We're seeing the same things, but seeing them differently.
We look at what Perry said and did in a New York minute instead of a lifetime of personal values and career achievements. How could the 'take' from the debate be so different, the responses ranging from A to Z, best to worst, our 'next president' to 'not even close?'
Constant change in the air
My own perceptions changed with the polls. I personally published Perry's rise to fame on the expectations that he would run (as I predicted. That gives me validity as a forecaster, yes?). Perry waited, he announced, he broke like gangbusters into the race, he rose to top the polls. Then Memmay Moore broke it to me that Perry was doomed to flop in public favor. While I predicted his rise, she predicted his demise. I believed her and so he did. But, at the end of the day after the latest debate, "the Perry team is moving with new energy." Here comes my guy again!
Consistent thinking
What remains constant through all of this is my own thinking. Not only about Perry, but about all of the candidates. The lineup in Lorraine's List of GOP Hopefuls shouldn't matter a whit to you but remains unrearranged for me as they race for candidacy. New information was taken in and what others thought in reviews, commentaries, and polls pushed mightily, but did not alter my list.
What doesn't look constant is what others think. Folks say they are thinking for themselves, but 'waiting to see what happens,' as if what happens will depend on what they think next. It's this waiting for others to influence what you think is what bothers me most. I believe there is no new information out there, only what others think about what's out there already.
What matters
No news is good news. Which is why I don't watch TV. Besides, what is there is just somebody else's opinion, which you can read online right along with mine.
What I think doesn't matter. Determine what you do, then stick with your convictions.
Sources: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8396883/political_pundits_predict_a_perry_plunge.html
http://pajamasmedia.com/tatler/2011/10/18/debate-score-perry-for-the-win/2/
Published by Lorraine Yapps Cohen
I design jewelry free from the constraints of textbook techniques and write non-fiction free from the rigors of technical expression. Chemist by training, creative by spirit, conservative in values, and art... View profile
Rasmussen Shows Rick Perry Ahead in Polls Over Obama and Other GOP Candi...As predicted, Rick Perry surges ahead in the latest poll over Obama and other GOP hopefuls, Romney and Bachmann. The Rasmussen poll shows just where Perry draws strength.
Rick Perry Beats Hutchison, Medina in Texas Governor's PrimaryThe fight for Republican nomination for Governor of Texas in the Texas primary was the hardest fought in recent memory. But in the end incumbent Gov. Rick Perry beat both Sen. K...- Why the Herman Cain 999 Plan Won't WorkAn analysis of the Herman Cain 999 Plan showing how it benefits only the rich and the corporate interests while hurting the working class.
- How Rick Perry is Opening a Texas Size Can of Whoop AssRick Perry played up his Texas swagger. He put it on display in Iowa. He placed his cowboy boots on a bale of hay. It got him more press coverage. His base shot him to frontrunner.
- Tea Party Support Heavily Favors Rick Perry, Poll FindsA majority of tea partyers or Republicans that support the tea party prefer Texas governor Rick Perry over the rest of the GOP field of contenders.
- The GOP Hates You and Lies to You!
- Why Romney Wants 'Exciting' Sarah Palin in Presidential Race
- Unexplored Territory at the GOP Debates
- Debates Done Wrong? the BCS DEBATE SERIES
- GOP Candidates Snub Only Televised Debate Aimed at Minorities
- GOP Propagandist Media
- Political Pundits Predict a Perry Plunge in the Polls
10 Comments
Post a CommentI go with my gut feeling. Maybe not scientific, but I'm usually right.
Making "snap" judgments is what every voter will have to do in order to make a personal decision on whom to vote for. I watched the debate the other night, and I thought Perry was absolutely terrible... he sounded like he didn't know what he was talking about, wouldn't answer the question that was asked of him, and he was constantly rude to other candidates, especially Romney. Santorum wasn't much better, although he sounded a little more like he knew what he was talking about. For my money, Romney was the clear winner, with Newt and Herman Cain also doing very well. I still have no clear favorite candidate to back.
It seems apparent that the GOP is deliberately taking a dive on the 2012 election. Probably because the economy will still be in the dumps no matter who gets in. In 2016, GOP will get in to take credit as we then start pulling out of this slump. This recession is a world wide problem and will not be solved by our puppet president, who ever that might be. Lorraine----- Lately, I've been anxious to get your articles and hope Mike Oberg makes comment. He is quite interesting! And defiante.
I'm still in favor of Perry! I think those debates are designed to purposely set people up to look their worst. Thanks for your insight!
Wouldn't it be fantastic if Newt could debate Obama?
Most of the GOP candidates tend to play the "old-time religion" card and that stimulates my fellow Tennesseans to turn off their brains and turn on the emotional campaigns, or so it seems. I'm all for personal convictions, but they don't seem to coincide fully with either party's candidates. Well, as you said in an earlier piece, Lorraine, I gotta pick an issue, don't I? That's the hard part! Oh yeah, I don't watch TV either, not because I don't want to be overwhelmed with conflicting information, but because I can't bring in a single channel out here in the sticks! Cheers!
We probably won't find just the right candidate until closer to the election. Of course, at this point, Goofy would make a better president than Obama. I was going to say Donald Duck, but he doesn't wear pants and that's too close a resemblance to the Clinton administration.
@ Mike -Gosh, I hope we see a "change" in 2012!
Cheers :)
There IS a better alternative, Mike. You just haven't recognized him yet.
I still believe Romney will win the GOP nomination. He wouldn't be my choice, not because he's Mormon, but because he's totally insensitive to the majority of the voters and willingly to say whatever he thinks will get him elected. But there just isn't a better alternative for the GOP, and that is why Obama will win in 2012!