An example of the bad use of statistics, from Nate Silver (via ilyagerner): A new CNN poll finds that 55 percent of voters have a negative view of the Republican Party, tied for their second-highest unfavorable score since CNN began asking this question in 1992. […] The news for Democrats is not any better. Some 49 percent of voters now hold a negative view of the party, according to the poll. […] The combined unfavorable score for both parties — 104 percent — is also a record, and represents the first time that the figure has been above 100. As ilyagerner points out, however: Silver suggests “A credible independent bid for the presidency is always a long-shot, but might be more viable under these conditions,” but I don’t see why that would be. Who cares about the combined unfavorable score for both parties? If anything, that’s a sign of increased partisan polarization, which would make it more difficult for an independent candidate to make headway. An interesting trendline would be the percentage of Americans who simultaneously hold an unfavorable view of the Democrats and an unfavorable view of the Republicans, which is not a number that could not add up to over 100%.

An example of the bad use of statistics, from Nate Silver (via ilyagerner):

A new CNN poll finds that 55 percent of voters have a negative view of the Republican Party, tied for their second-highest unfavorable score since CNN began asking this question in 1992. […]

The news for Democrats is not any better. Some 49 percent of voters now hold a negative view of the party, according to the poll. […] The combined unfavorable score for both parties — 104 percent — is also a record, and represents the first time that the figure has been above 100.

As ilyagerner points out, however:

Silver suggests “A credible independent bid for the presidency is always a long-shot, but might be more viable under these conditions,” but I don’t see why that would be. Who cares about the combined unfavorable score for both parties? If anything, that’s a sign of increased partisan polarization, which would make it more difficult for an independent candidate to make headway. An interesting trendline would be the percentage of Americans who simultaneously hold an unfavorable view of the Democrats and an unfavorable view of the Republicans, which is not a number that could not add up to over 100%.

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  1. the-towns-finest reblogged this from ilovecharts and added:
    So, combined, people are 104% dissatisfied. I think there’s a problem here.
  2. thetaleofthejerbear reblogged this from ilovecharts
  3. the-cinnamon-peelers-wife reblogged this from ilovecharts
  4. kanduhjelpemeg reblogged this from edgarpuke
  5. robertschuppenies reblogged this from ilovecharts
  6. spoonwoman reblogged this from ilovecharts
  7. subhangsmind reblogged this from ilovecharts
  8. vinautomatic reblogged this from ilovecharts and added:
    Interesting, demos never were looked at worse than rep. I fucking hate red states and somehow I now live in one. Well,...
  9. downwiththedan reblogged this from ilovecharts and added:
    So, if Republicans have consistently been seen as less favorable than Democrats, why do they continue to be elected? I...
  10. nationalcelestial reblogged this from ilovecharts
  11. christopherhuff reblogged this from ilovecharts
  12. jordanthegreat reblogged this from ilovecharts
  13. alanerate reblogged this from ilovecharts and added:
    I don’t see how that green line is sustainable for much longer.
  14. dragonbadgerhugs reblogged this from mightyhunter
  15. neonlexa reblogged this from ilovecharts
  16. crystalchances reblogged this from ilovecharts
  17. jakke said: Yeah, the line where he adds together both parties’ numbers is basically meaningless, as far as I can tell.
  18. alicechalice reblogged this from ilovecharts
  19. chrismenning reblogged this from ilovecharts
  20. poodleman reblogged this from ilovecharts
  21. mikedory reblogged this from ilovecharts and added:
    Yup. That looks about right.
  22. p-oseidonn reblogged this from ilovecharts
  23. lostrander reblogged this from ilovecharts

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