Question

Here are two wordings for the same question. The first question was asked by presidential candidate Ross Perot, and the second by a Time/CNN poll, both in March 1993.

A. Should laws be passed to eliminate all possibilities of special interests giving huge sums of money to candidates?

B. Should laws be passed to prohibit interest groups from contributing to campaigns, or do groups have a right to contribute to the candidates they support?

One of these questions drew 40% favoring banning contributions; the other drew 80% with this opinion. Which question produced the 40% and which got 80%? Explain why the results were so different. Show your work.

Answer 1

In my opinion the Question (A) drew 80% favouring banning whereas Question (B) 40%favoring banning.

A. Should laws be passed to eliminate all possibilities of special interests giving huge sums of money to candidates?

This question is framed in a way that you have only one choice that is to choose ban. Hence, many would be drawn to banning. Also using the phrase 'Huge sum of money' might not fit right with many people.

B. Should laws be passed to prohibit interest groups from contributing to campaigns, or do groups have a right to contribute to the candidates they support?

The question is framed in a way where the interests are given a choice to ban or not ban. Hence, the votes split in favour of either choices. Also the phrase 'have a right to contribute to the candidates they support' kind of gives the impression that candidates getting support not only specifically in form of money but also in many other ways. This might make people to not wanting the ban.