**Are public opinion polls a benefit or a curse to American politics?  What influence do they have on campaigns?  On governing?  What do critics point to as the key weaknesses of public opinion polls? Do you agree?  Explain?

 

Public opinion polls are a benefit to American politics because policymakers can keep in touch with the people's changing opinions on issues and make corresponding corrections the the government's course; however, they are also a curse in that politicians in that politicians may become more concerned with following than leading and can distort the election process, thus weakening democracy. Political leaders often "track public opinion not to make policy but rather to determine how to craft their  public presentations" to win support. Polls can also create a "bandwagon effect" in that people vote according to how others are voting.  The key weakness of public opinion polls is that by altering the wording of a question, pollsters can usually get the results they want, distorting the real public opinion.