Gertrude Kappel: Poll data not accurate

In the July 11 editorial “Trump, hired” about the appalling Donald Trump, you mention his incredible poll numbers several times. Please!

On June 29, you published a column by Cliff Zukin “The problems with polling,” which, in short, said that traditional political polling is not working anymore. He cited huge recent failures in calling elections both here and in England and Israel. He knew the problems because he is in the polling business.

In 2015, poll takers are talking to the minority of people who still have landlines and are willing to answer them and talk to strangers. This is not adequate for good statistical sampling. Zukin knew that, and you should also.

Polls make it easy for you to write authoritative sounding political columns and editorials. It is unfortunate that the data you cite is nearly worthless.

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Gertrude Kappel: Poll data not accurate."