Comments on: KSTP poll: Solid majority of Minnesotans support same-sex unions

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:31:05 +0000

Civil Unions are accepted by 67% of Americans and 64% of Minnesotans. The point is that the “no rights” position is a small minority ranging from 28% to 35% in surveys. In every survey the breakdown is 2 to 1 in favor of equal rights — it’s hardly a controversial position anymore, even Gov. Pawlenty can see that.

Can’t we get on with it and afford gay people the rights they should have from the gov’t they pay taxes to?

By: Tim Bonham

Tim Bonham — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:33:56 +0000

So even 6th District Grandpa thinks Civil Unions is “the middle ground” now?

Only 9 years ago, when they were first recognized in Vermont, they were called a ‘radical step’ that would ‘destroy the institution of marriage’. (Oddly enough, that doesn’t seem to have happened. This fall, Vermont is switching them all to just plain ‘marriage’.)

Glad to see that history continues to move forward, even in the 6th District.

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:14:04 +0000

Like Grandpa said, it’s how you pharse the question. There were four answers to select from regarding this question. You took two and lumped them together, so immediately the poll is skewed. The answer should have read:
No Right 34%
Civil Unions and or marriage 64%
This is would have bought. Then out of those respondents a question could have asked:
Regarding question #9, those of you selecting Civil Unions and or marriage, which one do you favor?
Civil Union 35%
Marriage 29%
Big difference when read that way…

By: 6th Dist Grandpa

6th Dist Grandpa — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:21:59 +0000

Interesting the way those 3 results are being “lumped” together to favor one opinion over another. True, yet slanted more one way than the other. One could also truthfully make the claim that “only” 29% of Minnesotans were in favor of same-sex marriages, while the remaining 71% are not. Still true. Take the middle ground & add it to one extreme, or the other, depending on which side YOU want to favor. When manipulating polls & statistics, it’s all in how you either phrase the questions, or in how you lump the results together to favor your “preferred” conclusion, now isn’t it.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:06:02 +0000

Rick — you seemed annoyed because you desire to deny any rights to gay couples is opposed by 2 of 3 Minnesotans. How is two people you don’t know entering into a civil union and being happy going to affect you exactly?

By: Jason Porter

Jason Porter — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:33:15 +0000

It’s not deceiving at all. A majority of people do support same-sex unions in one way or the other. The fact is, whether or not they support civil unions or marriage, a minority (34%) support no rights, which means the majority supports unions of some sort.

By: Andy Birkey

Andy Birkey — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:07:45 +0000

How is that deceiving? That’s exactly what the poll says.

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:08:50 +0000

Nice twist on the words and the polling data.
“Sixty-four percent of respondents said the state should offer same-sex marriage or civil unions. Only 34 percent said same-sex couples should have no legal relationship rights.”

The #9 question asks: “What rights do you think same-sex couples should have for legal recognition of their unions?” Here are the responses:
No Right 34%
Civil Unions 35%
Marriage 29%
You automatically lump the marriage and civil unions categories together to deliberately deceive the reader.