Public opinion polling and policymaking

As the presidential election approaches, polls and surveys are closely tracking public opinion on a variety of issues. But how does public opinion affect policy making?

Guests

• Jon Cohen: director of polling for The Washington Post. He is responsible for conceptualizing, implementing and analyzing all Post polls, and co-directs the Post-ABC and Post-Kaiser-Harvard surveys. He instituted the Post's polling blog, Behind the Numbers, and frequently discusses public opinion on radio and television, as well as online chats.
• Charles Franklin: Visiting Professor of Law and Public Policy for 2012 at Marquette University Law School. He'll be directing the Marquette Law School Poll, the most comprehensive polling ever done in Wisconsin. He is also the co-counder of Pollster.com.

Resources

• About Jon Cohen
• About Charles Franklin