This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Tribune's coverage of a poll my firm, Public Opinion Strategies, conducted about the Bears Ears National Monument proposal highlighted criticism of the survey as a "classic push poll." Unfortunately, those expressing this view do not appear to know the definition of that term.

A "push poll" is intended to disseminate information under the guise of a poll. Our firm has never conducted push polling in our 25-year history. The soundness of our research is something we take seriously and is why NBC, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, numerous corporations, nonprofits and campaigns rely on us to conduct their surveys.

Additionally, in this survey we purposefully simulated the public debate over the Bears Ears proposal in separate questions. Respondents heard both a positive statement and a robust criticism (some of which was pulled directly from monument opponents' quotes) that labeled the designation as a "federal land grab" that "will restrict public access, end ranching in these areas, create burdensome regulations on recreation" and other concerns. Even then, an overwhelming majority (69 percent to 25 percent) of Utah voters expressed support for the National Monument designation.

The survey results with exact question wording can be viewed at http://bit.ly/CJMBE.

Lori Weigel

Public Opinion Strategies