Here's another example, I suspect, of a poll's sponsor getting exactly the results the poll sponsor wished to get. Indiana Equality, "a coalition of groups focused on ensuring basic human rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Hoosiers," commissioned the poll, which found, surprise, surprise, strong support among Hoosiers for equal rights for gays:
The poll conducted late last year and released Wednesday found that 79 percent supported equal civil rights protections, 74 percent of respondents supported same-sex couples having hospital visitation rights, and about 53 percent supported inheritance rights for the same couples.
Also, 77 percent supported hate crimes legislation, with most of those who were in favor (85 percent) also supporting the inclusion of crimes that are based on sexual orientation . . .
Oh, I don't think so. Call it intolerance or a respect for tradition, depending on your political persuasion, but Hoosiers just aren't that out there on this issue. Some of those numbers would be high for California. I'd bet that if the American Family Association of Indiana, called up for duty in the story for the obligatory "fair and balanced" quotes, were to commission a poll on the same issues, conducted by the same outfit, the results would be predictably different.
