One reason I'm fascinated by politics is because I'm fascinated by people, numbers, geography, and trends. I find it interesting to read about numerous demographics from all around the country, to discover how they're voting, if there are any trends to the voting, what those trends are and how long they've been present (if at all), etc. With this most recent election cycle, I've been most intrigued by: The Trump phenomenon, the potential for greater Republican enthusiasm in the presidential election, the potential for greater Democratic enthusiasm in Congressional elections, establishment vs. non-establishment candidates, and voter priorities. Something else that's caught my interest is Hillary Clinton's image according to the general public, when it comes to her level of trustworthiness in particular.
Perhaps it's largely due to the Benghazi attacks and the email "scandal," but in any case, the general public does not see Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton as trustworthy. In a recently released Washington Post/ABC poll, it showed that just 37% of the electorate see Secretary Clinton as trustworthy, in comparison to 57% who feel otherwise. In response to these results, my big question is why do polls paint this issue in such a black-and-white manner?
Instead of just asking a single question on whether or not a politician is trustworthy, I'd like polls to ask a series of questions on the matter, such as:
- Is he/she trustworthy?
- In your opinion, what makes him/her trustworthy/untrustworthy? (provide potential answers)
- Whether or not you see him/her as honest, if he/she became president, do you trust he/she would get things done while in office?
- Of what's greater importance, feeling like a candidate is honest or feeling like a candidate can get things done?
A majority of the electorate may not believe Hillary Clinton to be an honest person, yet isn't this opinion held for most politicians? When people are asked, "In general, are politicians honest?" wouldn't a large majority of them likely laugh and say no while doing so? Isn't the more important question not "Do you trust a candidate's every word?" but "Do you trust a candidate will get things done while in office?"?
In the same poll, people were asked whether or not candidates had the "right experience to be president" and here were the results:
- Hillary Clinton: 66% (90% of Democrats, 64% of Independents, and even 40% of Republicans)
- Ted Cruz: 43%
- Marco Rubio: 35%
- Donald Trump: 26%
So, like most voters, do I believe Hillary Clinton is always going to be fully honest with the American people? No, but feel this way about any and every politician, and have a good feeling I'm not alone on that. The more important question is, if elected president, do I believe Hillary Clinton is going to get things done? The answer to that is a resounding yes.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/03/08/hillary-clintons-honest-and-trustworthy-numbers-are-lower-than-ever-it-might-not-matter/
Perhaps it's largely due to the Benghazi attacks and the email "scandal," but in any case, the general public does not see Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton as trustworthy. In a recently released Washington Post/ABC poll, it showed that just 37% of the electorate see Secretary Clinton as trustworthy, in comparison to 57% who feel otherwise. In response to these results, my big question is why do polls paint this issue in such a black-and-white manner?
Instead of just asking a single question on whether or not a politician is trustworthy, I'd like polls to ask a series of questions on the matter, such as:
- Is he/she trustworthy?
- In your opinion, what makes him/her trustworthy/untrustworthy? (provide potential answers)
- Whether or not you see him/her as honest, if he/she became president, do you trust he/she would get things done while in office?
- Of what's greater importance, feeling like a candidate is honest or feeling like a candidate can get things done?
A majority of the electorate may not believe Hillary Clinton to be an honest person, yet isn't this opinion held for most politicians? When people are asked, "In general, are politicians honest?" wouldn't a large majority of them likely laugh and say no while doing so? Isn't the more important question not "Do you trust a candidate's every word?" but "Do you trust a candidate will get things done while in office?"?
In the same poll, people were asked whether or not candidates had the "right experience to be president" and here were the results:
- Hillary Clinton: 66% (90% of Democrats, 64% of Independents, and even 40% of Republicans)
- Ted Cruz: 43%
- Marco Rubio: 35%
- Donald Trump: 26%
So, like most voters, do I believe Hillary Clinton is always going to be fully honest with the American people? No, but feel this way about any and every politician, and have a good feeling I'm not alone on that. The more important question is, if elected president, do I believe Hillary Clinton is going to get things done? The answer to that is a resounding yes.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/03/08/hillary-clintons-honest-and-trustworthy-numbers-are-lower-than-ever-it-might-not-matter/
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