In the comments to the previous post, CNJ said, “The vast majority of Americans were against the bank bailouts.” In fact, as of two weeks before it passed, they approved of the package by a 2-to-1 margin. By the time it passed, they were evenly split. And for what it’s worth, the available evidence says that they support the stimulus package that’s about to become law. According to a CBS poll taken last week, 51% of Americans approve, and that number held for a Pew poll earlier this week.
You might think differently if you watch the news, of course. But the news has a vested interest in making things seem more exciting than they actually are. Not everyone agrees, but we never do. Those against government intervention in the financial crisis may be more vocal, but they’re outnumbered.
I stand corrected. In my defense, The AP/Knowledge Network poll was 30% for / 45% against. The Gallup poll was 6 in 10 against. A Bloomberg/LA Times poll found 55% against.
UPDATE: I just read the question from the first poll: “As you may know, the government is potentially investing billions to try to keep financial institutions and markets secure. Do you think this is the right thing or the wrong thing for the government to be doing?” I would say that there’s a bit of a gap between that question and the actual bailout. Given the phrasing of the question and the timing (the weekend of September 19), I’m not surprised at all. I’m not arguing that my polls were magically better, but it would be hard to make a more favorable poll.
