One of McCain/Clinton's arguments in favor of the infantile candyfest they are calling a "gas tax holiday" is that the "American People" just love the idea. And they have a poll to back it up!
Really? Well no, but that won't stop them from lying.
The poll they keep citing was from Rasmussen claiming 60% of Americans are in favor. Perhaps you have even seen it repeated on dKos about a zillion times, such as here.
Here is the actual survey question:
Survey of 1,000 Adults
March 11-12, 2008
Should the Federal Tax on gasoline be suspended until prices come under control?
Yes 60%
No 24%
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/...
There are a few things you need to know about it when Republicans spout off about popular support:
- The poll was conducted in March before any mention of a gas tax holiday. It is unlikely that more than a handful of respondents knew the gas tax was only 18.4¢ per gallon. When most people hear "tax" they assume it is a percentage per dollar, not a flat fee per gallon.
- The poll was released concurrently with McCain's gas tax giveaway proposal. Coincidence, I'm sure.
- The question asked was ridiculously misleading. It creates a scenario where the tax will be suspended until "prices come under control," not just for three months. It also strongly implies that suspending the tax will somehow cause prices to come under control. Completely absurd, but why else would the bit about price control even be in there?
- In the absence of information, the respondent has to make a wild guess as to how much money he/she would save. Nor would he/she have any idea of the implications for road and bridge maintenance.
In short, the poll is a disaster. If you hear anyone talking about "60% of Americans," laugh them out of the room.