Will Mr. Harris Ever Learn?

Since it is now generally conceded that, for better or worse, the media constitute a fourth branch of government, let us ponder the credentials of a fifth branch: the public opinion polls.

The attention given to polls in recent years supports their claims; the most important facts about such matters as Vietnam and Watergate seem to be poll results. How the war was going seemed less important than how the public thought the war was going; what Nixon did in connection with Watergate seemed, at least until recently, less important than what the public thought he had done.

JP

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James L. Payne

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Since it is now generally conceded that, for better or worse, the media constitute a fourth branch of government, let us ponder the credentials of a fifth branch: the public opinion polls.

The attention given to polls in recent years supports their claims; the most important facts about such matters as Vietnam and Watergate seem to be poll results. How the war was going seemed less important than how the public thought the war was going; what Nixon did in connection with Watergate seemed, at least until recently, less important than what the public thought he had done.