A new poll shows that a majority of Utahans do not like President Obama's health care proposal. Unless, that is, you remove his name and just show them the features. Then the majority will tell you it's just dandy. 

This is not new. Most Americans say they loved Ronald Reagan's policies. But show the policies without his name on them, and most express disapproval.

The lesson is that branding works. Even in politics. 

It is the one area where I wish branding could be disallowed. (Were it possible, that is, which it is not.) When a brand image leads you to choose a hand soap that disappoints, there is little potential harm. Not so when it comes to choosing political leaders.

Of course, Americans generally have no clue when they vote for a brand more than for issues and ideologies. Tell them, and they will vehemently deny it. Or they will concede that others vote that way, but not them.

Steve Cuno
 


Comments

JonA link
11/17/2009 10:56

This poll sounds interesting. Can it be found online anywhere? Who ran the poll? What was the sample size? Inquiring minds need to know!

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Steve Cuno
11/17/2009 11:16

Hi Jon,

I heard about the Obama poll on a local NPR station. Here's a reference to the Salt Lake Tribune, which doesn't quite say the same thing I thought I heard and reported in my blog: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=8683281

Steve

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