Dwight D. Eisenhower 1963 Typed Letter Signed - 3-Page Letter About Public Polls
34th President. Three-page typed letter signed “D.E”, July 29, 1963, personal stationery from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to journalist Earl Mazo, marked “Personal”, in full:Your letter poses a number of questions concerning which I am far from expert. My answers, therefore, are impressions and unsubstantiated opinions. But for what these are worth, I give you my answers.Question One: I doubt seriously that public opinion polls are important either in politics or government. This doubt rises from the way that polls are necessarily -- or at least seemingly necessarily -- conducted and the results that they achieve. Too many of the questions posed to the public are general rather than specific in nature. For example, such a question as, ‘Do you approve of the Administration's Medicare Plan?’My conversations with many citizens convince me that there is about one individual out of 100 that understands the principal difference between the program for meeting the health problems of the aged recommended during my Administration and the one later proposed. The answers received to such a general question cannot possibly reflect the importance of these differences.In politics these polls often ask someone to express a preference among a number of personalities. All too frequently -- although, of course, not always -- the answers reflect the frequency with which the public has heard or seen the name of the individuals rather than any knowledge of their differing political philosophies. For example, if the public were asked to select for some important office today between Robert Anderson, Ex-Secretary of the Treasury, and almost any other individual whose name is fairly well known, from Senator Clark to Mr. Welch, the vote would probably overwhelmingly favor one of these two; yet Bob Anderson is probably better qualified to undertake the heavy responsibility of any political office than almost anyone else in the country. Yet it seems to be a truism that when once we see a rise in a man's popularity in the polls that very fact assures him additional voting strength.So far as value to the Government is concerned, I think there is some slight usefulness in bringing to the attention of responsible officials the nature of the questions that are concerning people. Probably they do have some influence in initiating programs of information or education. On balance, I would think that probably opinion polls as now conducted do just as much harm as they do good.Question Two: The only suggestions I could make for pollsters and their clients -- recognizing that polls will be with us for a long time in spite of any opinions I may have -- is that, with each question, the individual selected as one of the "samples" be given a list of pertinent facts, pros and cons about the issues, personalities or proposals under survey. This list should be as honest and carefully made as possible and thereafter the individual queried for his answer. (To this the objection will be made that the sampling would not reflect the existing state of public opinion -- rather it would reflect only the judgment of those people who would be, at least, partially informed as to pertinent facts.) To this I would reply that I would regard the educational value much more important than the answer of the uninformed individual.Question Three: I think that if our citizenry were accurately and consistently informed as to the problems, issues, personalities and policies with which polls are normally concerned, then the careful compilation of questions and answers might be of considerable importance. I believe that the fate of the health and vigor of self-government is going to depend on the degree of the popular knowledge on these subjects and on the level of interest the citizen may exhibit in informing himself and in developing his own conclusions.Of course, I understand that you are not going to quote me directly on this matter and that you were asking for background ideas only. If anything I have written would seem to you to have any validity whatsoever, you are at liberty to use it as your own.Accompanied by original mailing envelope.Earl Mazo was a journalist for the New York Herald Tribune, New York Times and Newsday, and author of numerous political biographies and histories. He specialized in writing about Republicans such as Eisenhower and Nixon. We authored the Presidential Autographs chapter in the 7th Edition of The Sanders Autograph Price Guide. We guarantee the authenticity of this item with our written certification, without time limit. We are full-time autograph dealers specializing in Presidential, Historical and Sports collectibles. Additional information and/or images gladly sent promptly. Some images are stock photos for items we have multiples of. All buyers will receive our once-a-month specials email. Please alert us if you would prefer not to receive these specials. Please view our other auctions for additional material including historical autographs, Steiner Sports and Yankees memorabilia and Presidential signatures. Shipping on this item is $12 within the Continental USA. All international orders are sent at buyers risk and all customs forms fully declared. All items sent via USPS with their insurance as well as private insurance. We prefer payment via Paypal and ship within one business day. We can also accept VISA, Mastercard and Discover cards directly. All NY residents must pay 8.625% sales tax unless a valid NY State resale certificate is submitted. We are full-time autograph dealers. We appreciate your interest in Shafran Collectibles.
Specifications
| Return Shipping Will Be Paid By | Seller |
| All Returns Accepted | Returns Accepted |
| Item Must Be Returned Within | 30 Days |
| Refund Will Be Given As | Money Back |
| President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Theme | Politics |
| Country/Region | United States |
34th President. Three-page typed letter signed “D.E”, July 29, 1963, personal stationery from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to journalist Earl Mazo, marked “Personal”, in full:Your letter poses a number of questions concerning which I am far from expert. My answers, therefore, are impressions and unsubstantiated opinions. But for what these are worth, I give you my answers.Question One: I doubt seriously that public opinion polls are important either in politics or government. This doubt rises from the way that polls are necessarily — or at least seemingly necessarily — conducted and the results that they achieve. Too many of the questions posed to the public are general rather than specific in nature. For example, such a question as, ‘Do you approve of the Administration’s Medicare Plan?’My conversations with many citizens convince me that there is about one individual out of 100 that understands the principal difference between the program for meeting the health problems of the aged recommended during my Administration and the one later proposed. The answers received to such a general question cannot possibly reflect the importance of these differences.In politics these polls often ask someone to express a preference among a number of personalities. All too frequently — although, of course, not always — the answers reflect the frequency with which the public has heard or seen the name of the individuals rather than any knowledge of their differing political philosophies. For example, if the public were asked to select for some important office today between Robert Anderson, Ex-Secretary of the Treasury, and almost any other individual whose name is fairly well known, from Senator Clark to Mr. Welch, the vote would probably overwhelmingly favor one of these two; yet Bob Anderson is probably better qualified to undertake the heavy responsibility of any political office than almost anyone else in the country. Yet it seems to be a truism that when once we see a rise in a man’s popularity in the polls that very fact assures him additional voting strength.So far as value to the Government is concerned, I think there is some slight usefulness in bringing to the attention of responsible officials the nature of the questions that are concerning people. Probably they do have some influence in initiating programs of information or education. On balance, I would think that probably opinion polls as now conducted do just as much harm as they do good.Question Two: The only suggestions I could make for pollsters and their clients — recognizing that polls will be with us for a long time in spite of any opinions I may have — is that, with each question, the individual selected as one of the “samples” be given a list of pertinent facts, pros and cons about the issues, personalities or proposals under survey. This list should be as honest and carefully made as possible and thereafter the individual queried for his answer. (To this the objection will be made that the sampling would not reflect the existing state of public opinion — rather it would reflect only the judgment of those people who would be, at least, partially informed as to pertinent facts.) To this I would reply that I would regard the educational value much more important than the answer of the uninformed individual.Question Three: I think that if our citizenry were accurately and consistently informed as to the problems, issues, personalities and policies with which polls are normally concerned, then the careful compilation of questions and answers might be of considerable importance. I believe that the fate of the health and vigor of self-government is going to depend on the degree of the popular knowledge on these subjects and on the level of interest the citizen may exhibit in informing himself and in developing his own conclusions.Of course, I understand that you are not going to quote me directly on this matter and that you were asking for background ideas only. If anything I have written would seem to you to have any validity whatsoever, you are at liberty to use it as your own.Accompanied by original mailing envelope.Earl Mazo was a journalist for the New York Herald Tribune, New York Times and Newsday, and author of numerous political biographies and histories. He specialized in writing about Republicans such as Eisenhower and Nixon. We authored the Presidential Autographs chapter in the 7th Edition of The Sanders Autograph Price Guide. We guarantee the authenticity of this item with our written certification, without time limit. We are full-time autograph dealers specializing in Presidential, Historical and Sports collectibles. Additional information and/or images gladly sent promptly. Some images are stock photos for items we have multiples of. All buyers will receive our once-a-month specials email. Please alert us if you would prefer not to receive these specials. Please view our other auctions for additional material including historical autographs, Steiner Sports and Yankees memorabilia and Presidential signatures. Shipping on this item is $12 within the Continental USA. All international orders are sent at buyers risk and all customs forms fully declared. All items sent via USPS with their insurance as well as private insurance. We prefer payment via Paypal and ship within one business day. We can also accept VISA, Mastercard and Discover cards directly. All NY residents must pay 8.625% sales tax unless a valid NY State resale certificate is submitted. We are full-time autograph dealers. We appreciate your interest in Shafran Collectibles.
