But the Clinton White House has used opinion polls to set its agenda. When Reagan wished the federal government could be managed more like corporate America, this was not what he had in mind. He leads by survey research. These days the power of the presidency is committed to making Viagra a medical right, to discovering safer child safety seats, and to beating up on big tobacco. This is what leadership has become.
Polls offer quantitative security and only occasionally qualitative creativity.
Polls do the thinking for you. Polls eliminate risk and provide alibis. The marketing research that steers corporate America is now steering presidential America. The president comes out for Viagra. Hence, the president is doing a good job.