The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

I really shouldn't be surprised by poll results anymore, but sadly, I still am at times. The most recent such case is a new Quinnipiac poll, where participants were asked, "Do you think going to war in Iraq in 2003 was the right thing for the United States or the wrong thing?" Here are the results to that very question: Overall: 32% right thing/59% wrong thing (net -27%) Democrats: 16% right thing/78% wrong thing (net -62%) Independents: 26% right thing/65% wrong thing (net -39%) Men: 32% right thing/61% wrong thing (net -29%) Women: 32% right thing/58% wrong thing (net -26%) Where is the surprise in these numbers? Oh, nothing. What came as surprising are these numbers: Republicans: 62% right thing/28% wrong thing (+34%) That's right; while roughly one-third of the public still believes the Iraq War was the right move, in contrast with three-fifths that don't, over three-fifths of Republicans believe the 2003 invasion of Iraq was the right move a...

In a fairly recent Quinnipiac poll, the following results were shown: - 92% of people support mandatory background checks for guns, even with regard to private or online sales - 56% support a total ban of assault weapons - 56% support a ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines - 46% believe the NRA (National Rifle Association) better reflects their views on guns, whereas 43% believe President Obama better reflects their views of guns So, let me get this straight... Both the public and President Obama support background checks, banning assault weapons, and banning the sale of high-capacity magazines. The NRA doesn't fully support any of these measures. YET, the NRA is more reflective of the country's views on guns than President Obama? How does that work exactly? This reminds me of a make-believe conversation I got into with an imaginary person named Winnie near election time this past November: Me: "So, who do you side with on the tax issue?" Winni...