Polling 101

The Gallup News Service has a fine tutorial on polling methodology here. That may or may not have been their intent, but it works as such.

They focus on a controlled CBS News/New York Times poll concerning Bush's authorizing wiretaps of US citizens.

The first question provides a reason for such wire taps.

After 9/11, President Bush authorized government wiretaps on some phone calls in the U.S. without getting court warrants, saying this was necessary in order to reduce the threat of terrorism. Do you approve or disapprove of the president doing this?

53% approve
46% disapprove
1% unsure

The second question provides no suggested justification for such wire taps and predictably elicits slightly different results.

After 9/11, George W. Bush authorized government wiretaps on some phone calls in the U.S. without getting court warrants. Do you approve or disapprove of George W. Bush doing this?

46% approve
50% disapprove
4% unsure

Of course these pollers are attempting to be neutral, as they should, but I wish they could have framed the question differently to see what the results might be.

After 9/11, George W. Bush authorized illegal governmental wiretaps on many phone calls in the U.S. These wiretaps could and might already be targeting you. Do you care if George W. Bush allows this?