#49: Iowa. Iowa. Iowa! And Frank Newport from Gallup

“From Iowa’s pivotal race to an interview with Gallup’s Frank Newport, this episode dives into critical polling insights.”

Contents show

Iowa. Iowa. Iowa! And Frank Newport from Gallup: Episode #49 Recap

Welcome back, listeners! It’s the last show before Iowa—like the night before Christmas for political junkies. Let’s dive in.

Poll of the Week: Correlation vs. Causation

Margie: “Good news for moderate drinkers: Gallup reports a potential link between drinking and lower rates of depression. Correlation doesn’t mean causation, but we’ll take it.”

Iowa. Iowa. Iowa.

Kristen: “The Democratic race sees Sanders gaining momentum, while Trump consolidates support on the GOP side. Turnout will be critical.”

Margie: “We explore the role of endorsements, ads, and turnout predictions, featuring insights from CNN, Huffington Post, and FiveThirtyEight.”

Interview with Frank Newport

Margie: “Gallup’s Frank Newport—our ‘Podfather’—joins us to discuss the importance of polling, its evolution, and the original Gallup podcast.”

Trust, Social Media, and Passwords

Kristen: “Edelman Trust Barometer reveals over half of people can’t name a CEO—‘deeply disturbing.’ Meanwhile, Nielsen tracks TV viewers’ second-screen activity.”

Margie: “And don’t forget to update your passwords—12345 just won’t cut it anymore!”

Key Findings

Sanders surges and Trump consolidates in Iowa, but turnout remains the wildcard.
Frank Newport’s insights remind us of polling’s pivotal role in understanding public opinion.
Corporate trust rises, yet most can’t name a CEO—a curious paradox.
Nielsen’s second-screen tracking underscores the growing influence of social media on entertainment habits.