Polls and Politics

Remember when Republicans constantly attacked Bill Clinton for his reliance on polling? How they argued that governing should be done “based on principle” not overnight straw polls? For instance, here was Gingrich going after Bill Clinton to impeach him when polls showed that a majority of Americans didn’t want the Republicans to do it:

“This is not about politics. I don’t know — and I don’t care — how this ’strategy’ polls. This has nothing to do with vendettas or witch-hunts or partisan advantage,” Gingrich wrote. “This is very simply about the rule of law, and the survival of the American system of justice. This is what the Constitution demands, and what Richard Nixon had to resign over.”

After Clinton finally left office and President Bush took over it was all about integrity. Governing based on principle. Here’s George W. Bush on following the “will” of the American people (i.e. polls)

“People develop principles all different kinds of ways. But you can’t be the President unless you have a firm set of principles to guide you as you sort through all the problems the world faces. And I would be very hesitant to support somebody who relied upon opinion polls and focus groups to define a way forward for a President.” (Dec. 20, 2007)

“It’s — and I guess if you’re the kind of person that followed polls and focus groups, that’s what your tendency to be. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t give a darn about polls and focus groups, and I do what I think is right.” (Mar. 14, 2008)

But now, we’re fed from FOX News nightly that President Obama is trying to thwart the will of the American people by passing health care reform. The “will” of the American people is based on polling data. Depending on how the question is asked, and what the reform being asked about is, it turns out that a majority of Americans don’t necessarily like the current version of the health care reform bill. The most relevant question is, so what?

Are the people in Congress and the Senate there to vote on legislation based on what the people in their district want (and how is that determined) or are they there to vote based on the “will” of the American people. Let’s say Nancy Pelosi voted against the health care bill. Do you think that’s what her constituents would want? My guess is, no. So why should she put the interests of unnamed Americans telephoned after a day at work who are asked a polling question over the interests of the ailing mother in her district who wrote her to say she thought health care reform should be passed? She shouldn’t.

Governing by polling is a ridiculous way to govern and the Republicans know it. Democrats know it. And yet each side insists on playing the game of “we govern on principle” when they’re in power and doing something unpopular. And each side insists on saying, “the American people don’t like this idea!” when they’re not in power.

Let’s all just take a deep breath and stop hyperventilating about the “will” of the American people. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a few questions…