From the Washington Post's polling director Richard Morin's online chat yesterday:

New York, N.Y.: When a newspaper like The Post commissions a poll, it gives the result prominent play, usually on the front page. But when a different organization conducts a separate poll, that poll's results are given much less prominent play, and often not mentioned at all. The implicit assumption is, "Our poll is better than theirs." Is this sound journalism?

Richard Morin: See the last answer. It would be unsound journalism to ignore other survey results, particularly if they offer insights your own may lack. But to give them as prominent play? No, and I think it is unreasonable to expect us to.

The Washington Post put on their front page a story by Richard Morin titled 'Majority of Americans Support Alito Nomination'.  A Fox News poll just showed Alito with cratering approval ratings.  Morin's story clearly ignores other survey results which present completely different findings, something he just called unsound.  It's clear this is not an isolated incident - Chris just documented Morin's failure to live up to standards he sets for himself.  

The ombudsman for the Washington Post can be reached at by e-mail at ombudsman@washpost.com or by phone at 202-334-7582.  Please be polite, but be sure to ask her why Richard Morin ignored other recent polls on Alito despite depicting precisely that behavior as 'unsound' journalism.  If you hear back, let me or Chris know.  

This corrupt polling nonsense needs to stop.