A poll result is an estimate, the best estimate based on our survey. There are about 180 million adults in this country, so the chances of being interviewed is very, very small. Last year, The Post alone interviewed about 25,000 people for its surveys, so the chances that you'll be contacted sometime are good. I believe public opinion polls are vitally important in a democracy because they offer the people's voice on important issues. I'm very skeptical of politicians and pundits who claim to speak on behalf of the people.
Polls allow the people to speak for themselves.
My day, like yours, is hectic. But my real job is directing public opinion polls. I also serve as a sounding board to newsroom colleagues who want to know if a poll they've just received is reliable or newsworthy. I also try to get out and about the newsroom to find out what people here think the next big story will be, and try to have a poll ready when that story breaks. Hillary Clinton is far more popular than her husband, according to our latest poll.