GOP Irate over Census Appointee's Mad Skillz

by Leigh Graham · 2009-04-07 06:00:00 UTC
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Last week Obama appointed a renowned statistician to run the census, Dr. Robert Groves, who also worked on census design under President George H.W. Bush.  Republicans are up in nonsensical arms over such an excellent and qualified choice:

“Conducting the census is a vital constitutional obligation,” Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the House minority leader, said Thursday. “It should be as solid, reliable and accurate as possible in every respect. That is why I am concerned about the White House decision to select Robert Groves as director of the Census Bureau.”

Well, you know us academics - fire-breathin' libruls who just love dem poor people so much we like, give 'em rides to the polls and stuff!  Case in point right here, no doubt!

Anyone who suggests that the census is not a political battle is a fool.  Regardless, as RaceWire points out, trying to correct for undercounting is more important than ever, as the ranks of the homeless swell.

You'd think Groves's bi-partisan cred and likely quant jock faith in objective science might soothe the hysterics in DC.  No dice.  Personally, I like commenter Andy's equivalency in this Tapped thread:

"Whenever someone argues that statistical sampling is not a valid method, I suggest that next time they go to the doctor, and the doc wants to do a blood test, they must insist that the doc take it all."

(Photo from the easily excited UK by willhowell)

Leigh Graham
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