Why Zogby polling sucks...

Today, for the first time in months and months, I participated in a Zogby online survey.

I'm violating their standard non-disclose rules (let them enforce it, if they can- not like I'm paid anything) to point out this question:

Which of these statements comes closest to your opinion?

Statement A: Federal money invested in troubled banks prevented the recession from being even worse, and may have reduced even greater hardship to the general public.

Statement B: Big bank executives abused the Troubled Asset Relief Program by giving themselves big salaries and bonuses, and escaped any responsibility for the failed risks that they took.

Um... guys? These statements are not mutually exclusive. Both can be quite true- and to my mind both are DEFINITELY true.

But "Both" is not an option in the survey. It's A, B, NEITHER, or "I dunno."

Morons.

Or else, looking for a predetermined answer- i. e. if the bailouts didn't help, then OBVIOUSLY it's because of corruption, etc.

EDIT: No, not predetermined answers, just VERY sloppy questions. Another example: "How important are endorsements from Tea Party organizations in influencing your vote?"

Well, very important, in my case... as an influence in NOT voting for someone.

Why Zogby polling sucks...

Today, for the first time in months and months, I participated in a Zogby online survey.

I'm violating their standard non-disclose rules (let them enforce it, if they can- not like I'm paid anything) to point out this question:

Which of these statements comes closest to your opinion?

Statement A: Federal money invested in troubled banks prevented the recession from being even worse, and may have reduced even greater hardship to the general public.

Statement B: Big bank executives abused the Troubled Asset Relief Program by giving themselves big salaries and bonuses, and escaped any responsibility for the failed risks that they took.

Um... guys? These statements are not mutually exclusive. Both can be quite true- and to my mind both are DEFINITELY true.

But "Both" is not an option in the survey. It's A, B, NEITHER, or "I dunno."

Morons.

Or else, looking for a predetermined answer- i. e. if the bailouts didn't help, then OBVIOUSLY it's because of corruption, etc.

EDIT: No, not predetermined answers, just VERY sloppy questions. Another example: "How important are endorsements from Tea Party organizations in influencing your vote?"

Well, very important, in my case... as an influence in NOT voting for someone.