A straw poll or straw vote is an ad hoc or unofficial vote. It is used to show the popular opinion on a certain matter, and can be used to help politicians know the majority opinion and help them decide what to say in order to gain votes. The idiom may allude to a straw (thin plant stalk) held up to see in what direction the wind blows, in this case, the wind of group opinion.Christine Ammer. ''The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997)E. Cobham Brewer. Brewers Dictionary of Phrase & Fable (London: Cassell, 1894)William Safire. Safire's Political Dictionary (New York:, Random House, 1978) United States politics A formal straw poll is common in American political caucuses. Such straw polls can be taken before selecting delegates and voting on resolutions. The results of straw polls are taken by the media to influence delegates in caucus later (as well as delegates to political conventions), and thus serve as important precursors. Straw polls are also scheduled informally by other organizations interested in the U.S. presidential election.
A straw poll , straw vote, or straw ballot is an ad hoc or unofficial vote. It is used to show the popular opinion on a certain matter, and can be used to help politicians know the majority opinion and help them decide what to say in order to gain votes. The idiom may allude to a straw (thin plant stalk) held up to see in what direction the wind blows, in this case, the wind of group opinion.Christine Ammer. ''The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997)E. Cobham Brewer. Brewers Dictionary of Phrase & Fable (London: Cassell, 1894)William Safire. Safire's Political Dictionary (New York:, Random House, 1978) United States politics A formal straw poll is common in American political caucuses. Such straw polls can be taken before selecting delegates and voting on resolutions. The results of straw polls are taken by the media to influence delegates in caucus later (as well as delegates to political conventions), and thus serve as important precursors. Straw polls are also scheduled informally by other organizations interested in the U.S. presidential election.
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or straw vote
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