Harry Truman on polls and pundits

[WI_DEM]

Crusty Harry Truman was known for speaking his mind. In 1948 when every poll in the country was showing him a sure loser against Tom Dewey (Tom Who?), Harry said polls including the "Galluping poll" should be called "sleeping polls because their intention is to lull voters to sleep and depress turnout--and we know the Republicans know a lot about depressions." (wink, wink)

Here is his view on pundits:
Newsweek in its final issue prior to the '48 election took a poll of "fifty highly regarded political writers, to ask which candidate they thought would win the election." Without exception every one of those 50 political pundits picked Dewey to win. When Truman saw the issue and scanned it he turned to his aide, Clark Clifford, and said, "I know every one of these 50 fellows. There isn't one of them has enough sense to pound sand in a rat hole."

Speaking of Dewey--Truman also used to lambast Republican ideas as "alot of hooey--and if that rhymes with something--don't blame me."

[Cha]

1. Well said, Harry!

"There isn't one of them has enough sense to pound sand in a rat hole."

[LisaLynne]

2. Go, Harry.

I didn't know he was funny!

[WI_DEM]

3. kick

because we should keep what these polls and pundits in perspective.