Nathan discusses a poll suggesting that support for the surge is “on the rise”.
I don’t know enough to comment on the validity of the poll. But, I have to laugh at some of these polls. This poll asks the people polled whether the troop surge was “making the situation better”.
Let me provide some analysis as to how this poll might have gone down.
Pollster: Excuse me, is this Joe Bob?
Joe Bob: Speaking.
Pollster: I am polling people [which I might interject that nobody has EVER called me about any poll ... unless it was a telemarketer disguised as a pollster]… and I wanted to see if I could ask you a few questions.
Joe Bob: Shoot.
Pollster: First of all, are you happy with the job the President is doing?
Joe Bob: President of what?
Pollster: the United States
Joe Bob: Oh, okay…. uh, I guess…
Pollster: Is that a yes?
Joe Bob: Sure, why not?
Pollster: Next question, do you believe the troop surge in Iraq is making the situation on the ground better?
Joe Bob: [Joe Bob scratches head] Well, I guess so. I haven’t heard about it a lot lately.
The bottom line is that the American people are in no more position to comment on the state of the war than I am in a position to comment on what kind of impact Beckham will have on American soccer. Regardless of what I say, it will be uneducated because I don’t know. Nobody but the troops knows what is going on in Iraq.
And, to poll them on their opinions on the effect on the troop surge is … well … ridiculous.