Demagogue

Last night, looking at some polls at PollingReport.com, I discovered additional evidence that even slight changes in wording can significantly change the outcome of a poll.

Consider earlier this summer when Congress considered the flag-desecration amendment. In a June 23-25 national poll, the issue was presented by USA Today-Gallup to Americans in two different ways. The flag-burning amendment received majority support of those surveyed when the question was posed this way:

"Do you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that would allow Congress and state governments to make it illegal to burn the American flag?"

Favor 56%
Oppose 41%
Unsure 3%

But, when it was worded differently, a majority opposed the flag amendment:

"Some people feel that the U.S. Constitution should be amended to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag as a form of political dissent. Others say that the U.S. Constitution should not be amended to specifically prohibit flag burning or desecration. Do you think the U.S. Constitution should or should not be amended to prohibit burning or desecrating the American flag?"

Should Be Amended 45%
Should Not Be Amended 54%
Unsure 2%

(NOTE: Poll percentages were rounded to the nearest whole number.)