Another *&^%ing opinion poll!

Tomorrow’s Irish Times has an opinion poll in tomorrow’s edition according to the good people of politics.ie. Possibly I am being overly harsh, but the proliferation of such polls across all newspaper speaks volumes for the poverty of political journalism in this state. Rather than discuss the policies of the political parties, and allow politicians to put forward their varying visions of the future of this country in light of the forthcoming election, we have continous polling.

And what good those this do? None that I can see. Whilst the occasional poll is a valuable tool in keeping the polticial classes in touch with the elecotrate outside of election time, the constant proliferation of opinion polls is increasingly frequently agenda setting, meaning the debate is about numbers and reactions to them, rather than anything more useful or worthwhile.

Further to that, it distorts the perception of the parties as the line is spun that certain options are runners, and more are not - seeking to limit the electoral options before anyone ever votes. So, other than acting as a form of political pornography to the hacks out there, what value those this constant polling offer to the Irish electorate?