Most. Biased. Poll. Ever.

Read this Washington Post story reporting the results of their joint poll with ABC News. Note the authoritative manner in which the reporters describe public opinion.

Now, skim down through the actual poll results, until you get to Question 6:

As you may know, Congress today rejected the government's plan, and the stock market lost nearly 800 points. How concerned are you that today's vote in Congress could lead to a more severe economic decline in this country - very concerned, somewhat concerned, not so concerned or not concerned at all?

"Congress ... rejected the government's plan"? Since when is Congress not part of the government? Who is "the government" in this formulation? Ben Bernanke? Henry Paulson? Do you really expect to get meaningful answers when the questions are framed in such haphazard terminology?

And isn't this a pretty damned leading question, to mention the 800-point stock drop, then ask if the voter is "concerned" about "a more severe economic decline"?

Why, no! Not at all! Fiddle-de-dee and tra-la-la! I'm perfectly blissful about the prospects of my 401K being worth less than the change under the sofa cushion!

Note further that it is immediately after the pollster has suggested that you'll soon be living in a shanty, selling apples on street corners and eating in a soup kitchen that he then proceeds to Question 7:

Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?

This isn't a honest inquiry into public opinion, it's Democratic Party propaganda -- practically a push-poll. Anyone who's ever taken an Intro to Psychology course can see how this poll plays on suggestibility. "Hey, did you hear? Congress just rejected The Plan! Guess the economic decline is going to get worse, huh? Oh, and by the way, Bush sucks. Right?"

I was born at night, but it wasn't last night, and I resent like hell the arrogance of the Washington Post editors who think they can get away with a fraudulent "poll" like this. Do they honestly think we're that stupid?