How Valid Are Polls?

How Valid Are Polls?

July 15th, 2006

As I exited the BART in downtown Oakland, CA a number of pollsters were posted at the exit. The pollsters were stopping everyone and asking them a series of questions. I am unaware of what questions were asked - I was not asked to participate in the poll. I stood at the exit for about 30 seconds and looked a couple of pollsters in the eye hoping one would ask me the questions for which they sought answers. They picked people to the left, right and behind me. I believe I was pasted over for one reason - I was wearing my Navy uniform. Did they have a belief they thought I would answer their questions with a view they did not share? I will really never know and I will be kicking myself for not just asking what the survey was about but, I will always wonder about the validity of polls from here on out.