As a person who loves college sports, I have an understanding as to why people are so mesmerized by the concept of polls and rankings and other things of that nature.
But, then again, sometimes I simply don’t get it.
I’ve always been amused by people who track poll after poll after poll after poll looking for even the slightest change to write stories and commentaries about the shifting winds of change.
Yes, one minute you’re high and the other minute you’re low.
I bring this up after reading a story by CNN:
NEW YORK (CNN) — Over the course of this summer, President Obama’s approval ratings have plummeted among independent voters — the largest and fastest-growing segment of the American electorate.
In May, 66 percent of independents approved of Obama’s job performance, according to the Gallup Poll.
By August, Gallup showed the president was supported by 49 percent of independents, a collapse during the health care debate that reflects independents’ dislike of deficit spending, the growth of big government and one-party control of Washington.
It’s a particular problem for Obama because post-honeymoon perceptions are hardening in ways that are counter to his core campaign promise to bridge partisan divides.
People get so caught up in poll hype. President Obama has tried to push through an ambitious agenda early in his presidency while also trying to turn around an economy that was nosediving not all that long ago (something a good number of people seem to have forgotten).
President Obama has tried to do a lot very early in his presidency (maybe too much too soon). But going through the emotional roller coaster with these polls just seems plain silly some of the time (maybe most of the time).
