The flawed AP Poll

[Photo of Liz Sidoti presenting donuts to McCain]


It's been awhile since the Associated Press has been an unbiased and fair news outlet. The latest poll just published by AP serves as a good example of which basket the media giant is putting its eggs.


First of all, this:

The Jed Report tells of "an event for newspaper editors hosted by the AP" back on April 14.

Both Barack Obama and John McCain were present. "At the event, the head of AP addressed Barack as 'Osama' while John McCain was given a box of Dunkin' Donuts -- with sprinkles. And coffee, with a little cream and a little sugar. By none other than Liz Sidoti."

The Jed Report also quotes part of an WaPo article by Dana Milbank, describing this event:

"So much for the liberal media.

"John McCain and Barack Obama both appeared before the nation's newspaper editors yesterday. The putative Republican presidential nominee was given a box of doughnuts and a standing ovation. The likely Democratic nominee was likened to a terrorist.


Liz Sidoti showed her true colors when she told McCain:

"'We spend quite a bit of time with you on the back of the Straight Talk Express asking you questions, and what we've decided to do today was invite everyone else along on the ride. We even brought you your favorite treat.'"

"McCain opened the offering. 'Oh yes, with sprinkles!' he said.

"Sidoti passed him a cup. 'A little coffee with a little cream and a little sugar,' she said"

Milbank said you had to watch the video "to fully appreciate Sidoti's obsequiousness."

Read the full Jed Report and catch the videos here.


Now to the poll which AOL touts as showing McCain and Obama essentially tied.

Well, maybe not. First of all, every other poll in the nation shows Obama up by anywhere from 6 to 11 points! So, the real question is not "How could those other polls be so wrong?", but "Who screwed up the AP poll?"

We'll tell you: None other than Liz Sidoti. And Liz represents the policies and priorities of the "head" of the AP and much of the "news" coming out of AP these days.


Americablog has an excellent article dissecting the poll. Here are the highlights:

Fully 45 percent of the poll's respondents and 44 percent of the poll's "likely voters" are identified as "evangelicals or born-again Christians." That makes no sense. In 2004, that group comprised 23 percent of the voters. You can bet your bippy that it has not doubled in four years! But, they usually vote Republican and probably would cast their ballot for ol' McCain on Nov. 4.

As Joe Sudbay says, "This means AP disproportionately skewed its polling towards the GOP base. So it's no surprise that the AP poll shows McCain doing better than in other polls.

"With such an outlier, one wonders why the brain trust at AP decided to move ahead releasing this poll. But, the AP brain trust loves McCain. It's not just Sidoti. Remember, AP's Washington bureau chief almost went to work for McCain."

Read the Americablog post here.

And remember, when you read an AP story, keep your manure detector on.