The one-third, still at it

Elections may come, politicians may go, shifting coalitions may reign and subtle realignments may prevail, but the percentage of dumb-ass Americans seems remarkably stable:

Forty-five percent surveyed in a new CNN/ORC poll said they would blame congressional Republicans if there is no [fiscal cliff-averting] agreement, with 34 percent pointing the finger at Obama [italics mine].

... at Obama. Why? For what?

It matters not. Because about one-third of the American electorate can always be counted on to be utterly, absolutely, breathtakingly wrong about pretty much everything.

I recall an early 1993 poll which revealed that about, oh, 34 percent of Americans disapproved of the job being done by newly inaugurated Vice President Al Gore. Poor Al couldn't yet even find his office each morning without assistance--not to mention that few vice presidents had had much to do once they got there--and already a third of the electorate was agin 'im. Unflinchingly.

There is a technical term for this 34 percent. It's called the Republican base.

Comments

[shsavage]

Same as it ever was,
Same as it ever was,
Same as it ever was,
Same as it ever was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1wg1DNHbNU

[Peter G]

You really want to know the full dimensions of this problem? All you need to do is commission a poll to determine favorability ratings for President Romney. That'll tell you who is paying attention in class.

[AnneJ]

47.8% to 50.6% of the popular vote in this election. It's a shame it was even that close. I guess we should be counting our blessings that it's only a third and not more.

[M. C. M.]

Anne: So true!

[Jon Ponder]

George Bush's approval rating was in the mid-30s during most of his second term, a fact that made him the most unpopular president in the history of presidential polling.

Plus, it's been a while since I saw the figure, but Pres. Nixon's job approval was in the mid-30s in August 1974 when he resigned in disgrace after his role in the Watergate crimes was revealed.

So, yes, 34 percent in political polling is statistically zero.

[Janicket]

Only 7 percent higher than the Crazification Factor! I wonder what the difference is?