A Quinnipiac poll released last week showed Republican Bob Beauprez, left, leading Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper by 10 points in Colorado s gubernatorial race. Other polls conducted at the same time had Hickenlooper ahead. (Denver Post file photos)
Re: “Polls show Coloradans not sold on Hickenlooper,” Sept. 18 news story.
Who participates in telephone polls? That these “disparate polls” were given headline status, and occupied most of the front page plus half of an inside page of The Denver Post, is greatly distressing. These polls are highly subjective. One big problem is that some people do not choose to be troubled by pesky phone calls that take considerable time. But, when these polls are given such extraordinary media attention, they affect public opinion and therefore voting outcomes. The least that could be done is to provide the demographics of the participants, with honest disclosure about how that might skew the results. This is not a partisan-driven concern; it is about integrity and the power of media to sway public opinion.
Susy Halloran, Highlands Ranch
This letter was published in the Sept. 22 edition.
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